Aquatic Insects in Your Pond Ecosystem

Nathan Brockman, Entomologist, Butterfly Wing Curator, Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University, has been fascinated with insects since he was five years old, according to his mom.He ordered his first ant farm when he was seven, raised his first butterfly at nine and often scared his friends with his collection of hissing cockroaches. He decided early on that he was going to be an entomologist because “he just loves bugs”.

Nathan graduated with his B.S. in entomology from Iowa State University in 2000. His first position was at the Iowa State University Insect Zoo where he gave educational programs and reared a variety of terrestrial and aquatic insects. In 2002 he moved to Iowa State University’s Reiman Gardens as the Insect Rearing Specialist for the Reiman Gardens Butterfly Wing. Currently Nathan is working on his masters in Entomology while being the Butterfly Wing Curator at Reiman Gardens.

Discover the misunderstood world of aquatic insects. Learn about the amazing insects that inhabit aquatic environments and how they “keep afloat” in such a habitat. Explore the benefits and uses of aquatic insects in creating a well-rounded pond ecosystem.  Learn how to recognize, collect and maintain this vital element to any healthy aquatic ecosystem.