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.
\
