This book presents a broad view of the ecology and behavior of aquatic insects, raising awareness of this conspicuous and yet little known fauna that inhabits inland waterbodies such as rivers, lakes and streams, and is particularly abundant and diverse in tropical ecosystems. The chapters address topics such as distribution, dispersal, territoriality, mating behavior, parental care and the role of sensory systems in the response to external and internal cues. In the context of ecology, it discusses aquatic insects as bio indicators that may be used to assess environmental disturbances, either in protected or urban areas, and provides insights into how genetic connectivity can support the development of novel conservation strategies. It also explores how aquatic insects can inspire solutions for various problems faced by modern society, presenting examples in the fields of material science, optics, sensorics and robotics.

Autorentext

Kleber Del Claro is an ethologist and full professor at the Federal University of Uberlandia (Brazil). He is an expert in behavioral ecology interactions. His fascination with aquatic insects began ten years ago when he became involved in a project to save the Veredas, an endangered aquatic system in the Brazilian savanna.

Rhainer Guillermo has been an entomologist and associate professor at the Federal University of São Carlos since 2015. His research is focused on the biodiversity of Odonata and Plecoptera with an emphasis in morphology, taxonomy, and behavior.

Inhalt

1. AQUATIC INSECTS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO DEDICATE OUR TIME ON THEIR STUDY?

2. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITATS OF AQUATIC INSECTS

3. DISPERSAL BY AQUATIC INSECTS

4. Effects of abiotic factors and ecogeographic patterns on the ecology, distribution and behavior of aquatic insects

5. THE BIOTIC ENVIRONMENT: MULTIPLE INTERACTIONS IN AN AQUATIC WORLD

6. DRUMMING FOR LOVE: MATING BEHAVIOR IN STONEFLIES

7. AQUATIC INSECT SENSILLA: MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION

8. TERRITORIALITY IN AQUATIC INSECTS

9. DEFENSES OF WATER INSECTS

10. REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AND SEXUAL SELECTION

11. SEXUAL CONFLICT IN WATER STRIDERS, DRAGONFLIES AND DIVING BEETLES

12. PATERNAL CARE IN GIANT WATER BUGS

13. THE AQUATIC LEPIDOPTERANS: A MYSTERIOUS AND UNKNOWN FAUNA 14. URBAN AQUATIC INSECTS 15. THE TINBERGEN SHORTFALL: DEVELOPMENTS ON AQUATIC INSECT BEHAVIOR THAT ARE CRITICAL FOR FRESHWATER CONSERVATION

16. GENETIC CONNECTIVITY IN CONSERVATION OF FRESHWATER INSECTS

17. AQUATIC INSECTS AS A SOURCE FOR BIOMIMETICS