adaptations in insects

Adaptations in insescts.

1.       Cybister

a.       Habit: it feeds on small fishes. It is positively phototropic. It is an active swimmer.

b.      Habitat: aquatic, occurs in deep water.

c.       Role in ecosystem: it is a secondary consumer.

d.      Adaptations:

i.                     Strucrural adaptations: forewings modified into horny elytra, hind wints are membranous, folded beneath the elytra.

ii.                   Feeding adaptations: mouth parts consists of strong mandibles.

iii.                  Respiratory adaptations: antennae are hydrofuge structures and can hold air balls containing oxygen for respiration.

iv.                 Flight adaptations: wing muscles of both sides are not fused together below the scutellum, therefore it is an active flier.

2.       hydrophilus olivaceous:

a.       habit: predacious, carnivorous.

b.      Habitat: aquatic habitat. It lives near vegetation. It is shade loving.

c.       Role in ecosystem: it is secondary consumer.

d.      Adaptations:

i.                     Structural adaptation: forewings modified into horny elytra, hind wings membranous, folded beneath elytra, body stream linexd.

ii.                   Feeding adaptations: mouth parts mandibulate adapted for biting.

iii.                  Respiratory adaptations: ventral surface of the body is with a set of hydrofuge hairy structures. It can hold an air film for respiratory purpose. Antennae are above hudrofuge structures and can hold air balls near the spiracles.

iv.                 Swimming adaptations: it is an active swimmer. Appendages are fringed with hairs.

v.                   Adaptations for defence: it has a metasternal keel for defence.

3.       Laccotrephes maculatus:

a.       Habit: it is phytophagous, positively phototrophic.

b.      Habitat: aquatic; is a bottom dweller and liver in mud.

c.       Role in ecosystem: primary consumer.

d.      Adaptations:

i.                     Structural adaptations: fore wings are chitinized to form hemielytra.

ii.                   Feeding adaptation: first pair of legs are pre-hensile and adapted for catching food. Mouth parts of piercing and sucking type.

iii.                  Respiratory adaptation: respiratory tube consists of 2-spine like processes.

iv.                 Swimming adaptations: body is slender, appendages are fringed with hair.

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