ABSTRACT
Research on the surface tension layer alone has demonstrated that it is strong enough to support insects with suitable morphological adaptations to take advantage of this platform for moving rapidly across water bodies in search of prey or decomposing carcasses of insects and to find partners for mating. Most species that are suited for and prefer life on the surface tension layer of lotic water are noted for moving much more rapidly across surface than most species of related insects living on ponds and lakes. The only adaptation that is commonly seen when terrestrial collembolan and an aquatic one are congeneric is in shape of the mucro. Aquatic members of the Heteroptera are typically insects that live throughout all life stages on or in the water. Heteropterans are frequently described as having piercing and sucking mouthparts, used by aquatic species to inject poisons and digestive juices into their prey and after period of time, suck out the liquefied digested materials.
