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Aquatic
insects have adaptations which enable them to live in a particular
environment/habitat. They are classified based upon
where they live and how they move about in such living space. A
fundamental knowledge of these details is helpful in assessing a given
area's "insectology".
The information in this section identifies the types of adaptations and gives an
example of an insect that exhibit such adaptation.
Benthic insects
. . . include those
insects residing in or on any given "substrate" within an aquatic
habitat (collectively, referred to as "benthos".)
To view a graphic of an example of
an insect described in each type, click the 
- Substrate . . . any fixed or
floating surfaces within a habitat, e.g., plants, rocks, logs, bottom,
etc.
- clingers . . . benthic
insects that cling to substrates; e.g., water penny
- sprawlers . . . benthic
insects that crawl about on substrate surfaces; e.g.,
stonefly nymph
- climbers . . . benthic
insects that reside on plant stems, root systems, algae or moss; e.g.,
damselfly nymph
- burrowers
. . . benthic insects that burrow into soft bottom substrates of
silt, silt-clay or silt-sand; e.g., burrowing
mayfly nymph
- floaters
. . . live at or near the water's surface, mostly for breathing needs;
e.g., mosquito larva
- swimmers
. . . those insects that always swim on the surface, surface for air
or swim from one resting place to another; e.g.,
water boatman
- drifters
. . . benthic insects that by accident or design become suspended in
the water & are carried by current; e.g.,
caddis free-roaming larva
- Neuston
(neustonic insects) . .
. aquatic insects that live on the water surface and move by
walking, skating or jumping:
- skaters
. . . usually inhabit quiet waters; e.g.,
water strider
- jumpers
. . . use specialized legs or springlike structures to jump off
the water; e.g., springtails
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