A Walk around the Pond

Insects in and over the Water

Gilbert Waldbauer

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Paperback

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English

Harvard Uni.Press Academi
15 April 2008

Mathematics & Sciences; Biology, life sciences; Wildlife: butterflies, other insects & spiders; Freshwater life

A water strider darts across a pond, its feet dimpling the surface tension; a giant water bug dives below, carrying his mate's eggs on his back; hidden among plant roots on the silty bottom, a dragonfly larva stalks unwary minnows. Barely skimming the surface, in the air above the pond, swarm mayflies with diaphanous wings. Take this walk around the pond with Gilbert Waldbauer and discover the most amazingly diverse inhabitants of the freshwater world.

In his hallmark companionable style, Waldbauer introduces us to the aquatic insects that have colonized ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers, especially those in North America. Along the way we learn about the diverse forms these arthropods take, as well as their remarkable modes of life-how they have radiated into every imaginable niche in the water environment, and how they cope with the challenges such an environment poses to respiration, vision, thermoregulation, and reproduction. We encounter the caddis fly larva building its protective case and camouflaging it with stream detritus; green darner dragonflies mating midair in an acrobatic wheel formation; ants that have adapted to the tiny water environment within a pitcher plant; and insects whose adaptations to the aquatic lifestyle are furnishing biomaterials engineers with ideas for future applications in industry and consumer goods.

While learning about the evolution, natural history, and ecology of these insects, readers also discover more than a little about the scientists who study them.

By: Gilbert Waldbauer
Imprint: Harvard Uni.Press Academi
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 197mm, Width: 127mm, Spine: 19mm
Weight: 308g
ISBN: 9780674027657
ISBN 10: 0674027655
Pages: 312
Publication Date: 15 April 2008
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Gilbert Waldbauer is Professor Emeritus of Entomology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Reviews for A Walk around the Pond: Insects in and over the Water

An entertaining yet highly accurate and informative account of the lives of aquatic insects. Familiar as they are, their lives take bizarre turns unknown to most laypeople... This book is sure to fascinate. - Annette Aiello, Library Journal In North America alone, there are more than 10,000 aquatic and semiaquatic insect species that live parts of their lives in fresh water. How did they evolve to survive both on land and in water? Waldbauer... attempts to explain the feat while providing a who's who of these remarkable insects, including mayflies, dragonflies, true bugs, beetles, and mosquitoes. - Science News While telling of the hidden lives of these insects, Waldbauer also reveals evolutionary and ecological details, moving the book beyond the 'gee whiz' level. Readers will be inspired to take a closer look at their favorite pond or stream. - Nancy Bent, Booklist