True Bugs (Hemiptera)
| Life history | True bugs (aquatic) live their entire life in the water, but are capable of flying to different locations if water dries up. Aquatic true bugs breathe air like terrestrial bugs. The different kinds of true bugs have special modifications that enable them to store oxygen for underwater breathing. |
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| Diversity | There are about 18 families of aquatic true bugs in North America. |
| Distinguishing characteristics |
No gills; 3 pairs of segmented legs; mouth parts are beak-like; wings fold when not in use. |
| Habitat & Feeding | True bugs may be found in lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, and pool and backwater areas within streams and rivers. Larvae and adults occupy by the same aquatic habitats. True bugs are generally predators. |
| Water quality indicator status | If aquatic true bugs are the majority of invertebrate population in a habitat it may be an indication that the water may be impacted by pollution because they do not rely on dissolved oxygen to breathe. |
| Fun facts |
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