Tidal pools are one type of marine habitat occupied by insects.
Insects represent the most diverse organisms in the animal kingdom. Of the over 2 million species distributed worldwide only between 250 and 350 species live in the marine biome. This habitat represents oceans, tidal pools and shorelines. Among these marine insects, attributes and appearances vary, though they all share the important ability to withstand constant contact with saltwater.
Marine Habitats
Of the three marine habitats insects occupy -- ocean, intertidal and seashore -- the variety of insects in each increases the closer the habitat is to land. Marine sea skaters represent the few species living in the open ocean. Intertidal insects especially prefer tidal pools, which are protected all around by rocks. Midges are an example of a type of marine fly that prefers this habitat. Other species, like the intertidal rove beetle, live on shore, but are constantly barraged by ocean waters.
Living Behavior
Marine insects find various ways to live in their habitats. Sea skaters and midges live on the surface of the water. There are five species of sea skaters in the Halobates genus that live in the open ocean, in tropical and subtropical climates. Others live closer to the shore, like midges, which prefer coastal waters. Intertidal rove beetles live in marine climates, too, but actually rarely come into contact with water because they build and live in burrows in the intertidal zones. These burrows have narrow openings that prevent water from getting in when the tide rises or waves wash over them.
Feeding Habits
Marine insects also have varied feeding habits. Sea skaters feed on zooplankton, fish eggs, larval fish and similar organisms on the surface of the water. The complete feeding habits of the open water species have not been fully observed, though. Midges are different. Their larvae feed on detritus and algae, but the adults do not feed at all. As such, they are not equipped with a mouth part and are around only for mating purposes, dying off quickly. They are one of the shortest-living insects in the world.
Reproductive Habits
Open water Halobates spend their entire lives in the ocean, but when they lay their eggs they need to find a solid floating object to attach them to. These include everything from floating feathers and seashells to plastic and tar lumps. Many eggs are attached to these objects since they are limited. Midges die shortly after mating or laying eggs. They only live for a few hours, so their entire adult lives revolve around mating. Intertidal rover beetles build narrow openings in their burrows, in which they lay their eggs. Unlike many other marine insects, these beetles care for their larvae until they are old enough to build their own burrows.
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