Functional Feeding Groups: Scrapers

Scrapers feed primarily on periphyton growing on surfaces of rocks and other substrate. Scrapers, just as the name suggests, scrape the algae and associated material from the surface of rocks and organic materials, literally grazing the material from the rocks. Scrapers typically have mouthparts with special adaptations for grazing from rocks. The scraper blade is flat […]

Insect Feeding & Food Webs

All insects must eat or they will eventually starve so much of insect behavior is about finding food and eating it! Many insects are very specific in their feeding preferences and they will either starve or move to another area if their food is not available. Other insects are not as specific and will switch […]