Aquatic Insects

In the past three decades, research in aquatic entomology has seen major advances. First, aquatic insects are being used increasingly to test a number of hypotheses in contemporary ecological theory. Secondly, on the practical side, applied research has revealed the importance of aquatic insects in the spread of diseases, in the biological assessment of water quality, and in the reconstruction of past environments on earth. It is also now appreciated that the larvae of aquatic insects play a pivotal role in the breakdown of terrestrial leaf litter which is then made available to fish. This book presents these and other new findings in the study of aquatic entomology, together with the background information necessary to understand them, and provides references to more detailed studies in the literature. Only a limited prior knowledge of general ecology or entomology is assumed on the part of the reader. The book will therefore appeal to advanced undergraduate students taking courses in aquatic biology or entomology, as well as research workers in ecology and pure and applied entomology seeking an overview of this field of study.