Aquatic Entomology Final Exam Terms

Antliophora

larger monophyletic clade that includes diptera, fleas, and scorpionflies.'

• sister to lepidoptera and trichoptera

Nematocera

paraphyletic suborder of diptera

Adults:

• antennae with more than 6 segments

Larvae:

• sclerotized head capsules

Brachycera

monophyletic suborder of diptera

Adults:

• antennae with 6 or fewer segments

Larvae:

• no sclerotized head capsules, but sclerotized mouthparts and spiracles at end

halteres

modified hindwings that act like gyroscopes and are a sensory system

Tipulidae

• Most abundant family in Diptera

• Found in nearly all aquatic habitats except
  oceans and deep lakes

• Feed on decaying plant matter

• With few exceptions need to return to surface for gas exchange

• Larvae often with posterior siphons

• craneflies

Psychodidae

• moth flies

• larvae feed on muck

• normally seen around drains

• feed as collectors (larvae)

Phytotelma

pool of water contained by a plant

Phlebotominae

subfamily of Psychodidae

• some vector leishmaniasis

hematophagy

blood feeding

Ceratopoginidae

biting midges

• Found from tropics to arctic

• Larval habitat aquatic to semi-aquatic, some terrestrial. Common in salt marshes.

• When in water usually they are usually shallow

• Diverse feeding habits – filter feeding, detritivores, predators

• females require blood meal

• vector filarial and viral diseases - blue tongue virus in ruminants

• species needed for chocolate

chironomidae

non-biting midges

• very important food source

Simuliidae

• black flies

  • vectors river blindness in Africa

• larvae important food source

  • filter feeders

arbovirus

informal name of virus transmitted by an arthropod

Culicidae

• mosquitoes

• largest impact on humans

• vector Dengue, West Nile Virus, Malaria, Rift Valley Fever, Zika, Yellow Fever,

• females need blood meal

Tabanidae

horse and deer flies

• Larvae live in swamp-muck-saturated soils.

• Posterior breathing siphon

• Usually single generation per year.

• Often (usually?)predaceous.

May vector diseases from livestock, but they are not very efficient

• slicing and sponge mouthparts

Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga

Coleoptera suborders with truly aquatic members (3)

Sisyridae

Spongillaflies

• Aquatic Neuropteran

  • larvae parasites on freshwater sponges

vector competence

intrinsic ability of a vector to transmit a disease agent biologically