water quality macroinvertebrates

identify

mayfly adult

identify

mayfly nypmh

what are common characteristics of mayflies

large membranous wings, long tail filaments (usually 3), small

identify

caddisfly adult

identify

caddisfly nymph

characteristics of caddisfly

moth-like, hairy membranous wings, very brown, 2 front antennae; nymphs have 10 soft abdominal segments

identify

stonefly

identify

stonefly nymph

characteristics of stonefly

venated translucent membranous wings that fold flat, 3 segmented and prominent thorax, long and slender, 6 robust legs with claws

identify

dobsonfly

identify

dobsonfly nymph

characteristics of dobsonfly

very large membranous wings, some with extremely prominent mandibles, antennae; nymphs are flat, dark colored, long, spiky lateral projections on abdomen, strong jaw + mandibles.

id

gilled snails

characteristic of gilled snails

right sided opening on shell, 3 visibly discernable sections from front

id

water penny

id

waterpenny larvea

characteristics of water penny

very round patterned shell, dark colored, stink bug like appearance

id

riffle beetle

id

riffle beetle larvae

characteristics of riffle beetle

small, ovular body, hard exoskeleton, short clubbed antennae, 6 prominent hardy clawed legs; larvae are elongated and slender with several segments and hooked claws at front

id

water scorpion

id

water scorpion

characteristics for water scorpion

two large specialized pincer arms in front, dark colored with long tail at the end, 2 sets of hind legs, can either be long and thin, or broad and ovular

id

aquatic sowbug

id

aquatic sowbug

characteristics of aquatic sowbug

soft brown segmented body, microscopic, resembles lice, 5-6 sets of small legs plus antennae

id

damsel fly

id

damselfly larvae

characteristics of damselfly

similar in appearance to dragonflies but slimmer and longer with smaller thorax, males are iridescent blue or green with black patterning while female may be brown to green, wings are held close to body; larvae are brown and segmented with prominent head and eyes, slender, small antennae and caudal gills (typically 3)

id

dragonfly

id

dragonfly larvae

characteristic of dragonfly

brightly colored, long abdomen (though shorter and thicker than damselfly), with 4 oval shaped translucent wings, prominent compound eyes; larvae have long segmented pointed abdomen with prominent eyes and head, thicker and stouter than damselfly larvae

id

scuds

id

scuds

characteristics of scuds

very small, looks like shrimp or louse, orangey

id

cranefly

id

cranefly larvae

characteristics of cranefly

6 very long and slender legs, small and thin body, patterned membranous wings; larvae look like fat worms, light brown, has a mouth on one end

id

water mite

id

water mite

characteristics for water mite

very small, bright red or orange in color, round, 8 short appendages

id

midge

id

midge larvae

id

midge

characteristic of a midge

mosquito like appearance with long slender legs, long oval wings, hairy antennae; larvae are translucent light brown or pink and sectioned, with a small head

id

blackfly

id

blackfly larvae

characteristics of blackfly

black, looks like a fly, prominent head and eyes, membranous wings; larvae are light brown / orange and translucent with a bulged end, and dark colored head with short projections

id

flatworm

id

flatworm

characteristics of flatworm

bilateral symmetry, usually flat or leaf like in shape, 3 cell layers, can be colorful but usually brown

id

leech

id

leech

characteristics of leech

segmented (32 segments), brown worms, light or dark based on species, with a sucker on both end

id

air breathing snail

id

air breathing snail larvae

characteristics of air breathing snail

spiral shell, slimy body with two projections as eyes, babies are lighter and translucent

id

horsefly

id

horsefly larvae

characteristics for horse flies

fly appearance with prominent compound eyes and a short body, brown and patterned, relatively large, lighter colored; larvae are worm like and light brown with distinct segments

id

tubifex

id

tubifex

characteristics for tubifex

red worms, segmented, small, usually in clumps

id

blood midge

id

blood midge

characteristics of a blood midge

red larvae of midge, has segments and isn’t a true worm like tubifex

id

whirligig beetle

id

whirligig beetle larvae

characteristics of whirligig beetle

dark, shiny, round, with prominent front claw like legs, and two sets of tiny legs, small head; larvae are light colored, segmented, long, visible mandibles in the front, several thin legs and projections coming out from each segment.

id

water strider

id

water strider nymph

characteristics of a water strider

4 prominent long legs to float on water, long thin almond shaped body with antennae, brown and patterned; nymphs look similar

id

mosquito

id

mosquito baby

characteristics of mosquito

it looks like a mosquito, long bent legs, curved body, patterns; larvae are small with spiky projections off the segments, float below water

IDd

giant water bug

id

giant water bug nymph

characteristics of giant water bug

very large, brown, textured armored back, prominent front legs, big beady eyes; nymphs look like transparent versions of adults

id

back swimmer

id

back swimmer nymph

characteristics of back swimmer

light brown body, greenish head with large black or red eyes, very long back legs; nymphs are smaller and lighter colored with larger head proportion

id

water boatman

id

water boatman nymph

characteristics of water boatman

dark, patterned, shiny, ‘armored’ back with 4 long legs that stick out, triangular red or brown eyes in the side of head; nymphs look like smaller and lighter adults with visible segmented abdomen

id

predaceous diving beetle

id

predaceous diving beetle larvae

characteristics of predaceous diving beetle

dark, shiny, with prominent hairy back legs and antennae, small head, line sectioning the back plate into two parts; larvae are almond shaped and segmented, with a relatively large triangular head, light colored, 6 legs and tail filaments.