Ponds offer insects many different living spaces, or microhabitats. Aquatic insects have adapted ways to breathe under water, and to live on the surface. Some can swim freely, and other can burrow in the bottom mud. Most prefer their special zones and are important links in the food chain, providing food for fish and other animals.

Some aquatic insects get oxygen by trapping air bubbles at the water's surface over breathing pores, or holes, located on their abdomens. As oxygen is used up, more oxygen from the water diffuses into the bubble.

Other aquatic insects--usually "naiads," or immature insects--bring oxygen from the surrounding water into their gills.

Many beetles, such as this water scavenger beetle (family Hydrophilidae), must return to the surface frequently to get a new bubble of air.

Water striders (family Gerridae) skate along the surface of ponds. Like snowshoes, their modified leg tips prevent these insects from breaking the water's surface tension.

Whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae) are strong surface swimmers whose eyes are divided horizontally--the upper part to see above the water, and the lower part specialized for underwater viewing.

The red line on the photograph is drawn approximately between the upper and lower parts of this whirligig beetle's eye. (This photograph is a side view of the insect's eye.)

Water boatmen, backswimmers, giant water bugs, and predaceous diving beetles are all strong swimmers with powerful, oar-like middle and hind legs to propel them through the water.