Post on 02-Jan-2017
4-H-1018
Bioindicators of Water Quality
Authors: Julie Speelman and Natalie CarrollPhotographer (unless otherwise noted): Julie Speelman
Design and Layout: Linda Hines
Aquatic insects can be used as bioindicators of water quality. These bioindicator cards show
larval stages of aquatic insects that may be found in Indiana waterways and a corresponding tolerance score.The tolerance score represents the insect’s sensitivity to pollution and is used to estimate water quality. Insects
with a tolerance score value of 0 are intolerant to pollution, while insects with a tolerance score of 10 are
very tolerant of pollution. More complete instructions and data sheets are
available at:www.four-h.purdue.edu/natural_resources/
(select “Resources for Teachers” and “Bioindicators”)
Instructions: •Takesamplesfromallstreamhabitatsalonga 200-foot section.• Collectinsectsfor45minutes.Capturedinsectsshould be placed in container with stream water.• Sorttheinsectsthatlookthesameintodifferent compartments. • Usethebioindicatorcardstoidentifytheinsects.• Recordthenumberofinsectsfromeachinsect family you identify on the data sheet.• Completethecalculationsanddeterminethestreamwaterqualityrating.
Assessing the water quality for your site: 1. Determine the Family Tolerance Score by multiplying the number of insects in each family by the tolerance value given for that family.2. Determine the Order Totals by summing the number of insects and Family Tolerance Scores for each order.3. Determine the Grand Total by summing the Order Totals (number of insects and Tolerance)4. Determine the Biotic Index by dividing the Total tolerance score by the Total number of insects.5. Estimatethestreamwaterqualityratinganddegreeoforganicpollutionfrom the Biotic Index table.
Materials Needed:dip net
plastic bowl or dishpanegg carton
a stream to sample
Biotic Index Water Quality Rating Degree of Organic Pollution
0.00-3.75 Excellent OrganicPollutionUnlikely
3.76-4.25 Very Good Slight Organic Pollution Possible
4.26-5.00 Good Some Organic Pollution Probable
5.01-5.75 Fair FairlySubstantialPollutionLikely
5.76-6.50 Fairly Poor SubstantialPollutionLikely
6.51-7.25 Poor VerySubstantialPollutionLikely
7.26-10.0 Very Poor SevereOrganicPollutionLikely
EphemeropteraMayflies
Isonychiidae
Common name:Brush-LeggedMayfly
Occurrence: 16 species in North America
Size: 8-17 mm
Habitat:Riffleareasofstreamsandriversonleavesand sticks
Feeding group: Collectors/filterers
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Polymitarcyidae
Common name:PaleBurroweringMayfly
Occurrence: 7 species in North America
Size: 12-35mm
Habitat: Silt-andclay-bottomedrivers,lakes,and streams
Feeding group:Collectors/gatherers/filterers
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Siphlonuridae
Common name:PrimitiveMinnowMayfly
Occurrence: 26 species in North America
Size: 6-20 mm
Habitat:Shallowareasoflakesandponds,smallstreams, sandy-bottomed rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
Baetiscidae
Common name: Armored Mayfly
Occurrence: 12 species in North America
Size: 4-14 mm
Habitat: Sand, gravel, vegetation, and woody debris of streams, rivers, and lakes
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
Ephemeridae
Common name:CommonBurrowingMayfly
Occurrence: 12 species in North America
Size: 10-32 mm
Habitat:Silt-orsand-bottomedrivers,lakes,ponds,and streams
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Heptageniidae
Common name:Flat-HeadedMayfly
Occurrence: More than 130 species in North America
Size: 5-20mm
Habitat:Shallowareasoflakes,streams,andriversonthe surfacesofrocks,logs,andvegetation
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Potamanthidae
Common name:HacklegillMayfly
Occurrence:5speciesinNorthAmerica
Size:8-15mm
Habitat: Rivers and medium–sized streams attached to rocksandwoodydebris
Feeding group: Collectors/filterers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Leptohyphidae
Common name:LittleStoutCrawlerMayfly
Occurrence: 21 species in North America
Size: 3-10 mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers with silt or gravel; associated with vegetation and detritus
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Leptophlebiidae
Common name:Prong-GilledMayfly
Occurrence: More than 89 species in North America
Size:4-15mm
Habitat:Varietyofstreams,ponds,lakes,andriverson roots or gravel
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Baetidae
Common name:SmallMinnowMayfly
Occurrence:154speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 3-12 mm
Habitat:Widevarietyofponds,lakes,streams,andrivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/scrapers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Caenidae
Common name:SmallSquare-GillMayfly
Occurrence: 37 species in North America
Size: 2-8 mm
Habitat:Ponds,lakesandstreamswithsiltybottoms; associated with vegetation
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/scrapers
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
Ephemerellidae
Common name:SpinyCrawlerMayfly
Occurrence: More than 76 species in North America
Size: 5-15mm
Habitat:Lakes,rivers,streams;associatedwith algal mats, roots, plants, and wood
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
PlecopteraStoneflies
Nemouridae
Common name:BrownStonefly
Occurrence: 60 species in North America
Size:5-20mm
Habitat: Small rivers, streams, and springs with soft substrates and leaf litter
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Perlidae
Common name:CommonStonefly
Occurrence: 40 species in North America
Size:8-35mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers under logs and stones
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Taeniopterygidae
Common name:WinterStonefly
Occurrence: 30 species in North America
Size: 10-20 mm
Habitat:Flowingwatersonplantsorrocks
Feeding group: Shredders, some scrapers
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Capniidae
Common name:SmallWinterStonefly
Occurrence: 90 species in North America
Size:5-10mm
Habitat:Fastormoderatelyflowingstreamswithgravel and debris
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Leuctridae
Common name:Roll-WingedStonefly
Occurrence: More than 40 species in North America
Size: 6-20 mm
Habitat: Streams with swift currents and gravel or debris
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 0 (low)
Pteronarcyidae
Common name:GiantStonefly
Occurrence: More than 10 species in North America
Size:15-70mm
Habitat: Small, fast-moving streams
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 0 (low)
Perlodidae
Common name:PatternedStonefly
Occurrence: More than 100 species in North America
Size:10-50mm
Habitat: Flowing water under stones and leaves
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
LepidopteraAquatic Moths
Pyralidae
Common name: Aquatic Caterpillar
Occurrence: 20 genera with few species in North America
Size:3-35mm
Habitat: Water plants mainly in ponds or marshes, but sometimes in streams
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
ColeopteraBeetles
Dryopidae
Common name: Long-Toed Water Beetle (adult) (larvae live on land)
Occurrence: 10 species in North America
Size: 4-10 mm
Habitat:Streamsandriversunderrocksandlogs
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Dytiscidae
Common name: Predaceous Diving Beetle (adult)
Occurrence: 400 species in North America
Size: 1-40 mm
Habitat: Any aquatic environment
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Dytiscidae
Common name: Predaceous Diving Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence: 400 species in North America
Size: 2-70 mm
Habitat: Any aquatic environment
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Elmidae
Common name:RiffleBeetle(adult)
Occurrence: 80 species in North America
Size: 1-8 mm
Habitat: Streamsandriversonrockybottoms
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Elmidae
Common name:RiffleBeetle(larvae)
Occurrence: 80 species in North America
Size: 3-8 mm
Habitat:Streamsandriversonrockybottoms
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Gyrinidae
Common name: Whirligig Beetle, Apple Beetle (adult)
Occurrence:50speciesinNorthAmerica
Size:3-15mm
Habitat: Ponds and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Gyrinidae
Common name: Whirligig Beetle, Apple Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence:50speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 6-30 mm
Habitat: Ponds and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Haliplidae
Common name: Crawling Water Beetle (adult)
Occurrence: 60 species in North America
Size: 2-6 mm
Habitat:Pools,ponds,andshallowareasoflakeson vegetation
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
Haliplidae
Common name: Crawling Water Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence: 60 species in North America
Size:5-12mm
Habitat:Pools,ponds,andshallowareasoflakeson vegetation
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
Hydrophilidae
Common name: Water Scavenger Beetle (adult)
Occurrence: 200 species in North America
Size: 1-40 mm
Habitat:Ponds,lakes,andcalmareasofstreamsand rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Hydrophilidae
Common name: Water Scavenger Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence: 200 species in North America
Size: 4-60 mm
Habitat:Ponds,lakes,andcalmareasofstreamsand rivers
Feeding group: Predator
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Psephenidae
Common name: Water Penny (only larvae aquatic)
Occurrence: 9 species in North America
Size: 3-10 mm
Habitat:Attachedtorocksinrifflesinstreams
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
OdonataDamselflies
andDragonflies
Calopterygidae
Common name:Broad-WingedDamselfly
Occurrence: 8 species in North America
Size:20-50mm
Habitat:Edgesofslow-movingstreams,clingingto plants
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Coenagrionidae
Common name:Narrow-WingedDamselfly
Occurrence: 90 species in North America
Size:13-25mm
Habitat: Streams, ponds, and wetlands near edges on plants
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 9 (high)
Lestidae
Common name:Spread-WingedDamselfly
Occurrence: 19 species in North America
Size: 20-29 mm
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, and ditches on plants
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 9 (high)
Aeshnidae
Common name: Darner
Occurrence: 38 species in North America
Size:31-50mm
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams on plants and woody debris
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
Gomphidae
Common name:Club-TailedDragonfly
Occurrence: 80 species in North America
Size: 23-40 mm
Habitat:Streams,rivers,lakes,andpondsinthesubstrate
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Libellulidae
Common name:CommonSkimmer
Occurrence: 90 species in North America
Size: 18-42 mm
Habitat: Slow streams, rivers, marshes, ponds, and ditches on the bottom or on plants
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
HemipteraAquatic Bugs
Belostomatidae
Common name: Giant Water Bug, Toe-Biter
Occurrence: 19 species in North America
Size: 25-45mm
Habitat:Lakes,ponds,marshes,pools,andditches around aquatic vegetation
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 10 (high)
Corixidae
Common name: Water Boatman
Occurrence:125speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 3-11 mm
Habitat:Slow-movingponds,lakes,streams,marshes, and rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 9 (high)
Gelastocoridae
Common name: Toad Bug
Occurrence: 8 species in North America
Size: 5-9mm
Habitat:Sandybeachesormuddyedgesoflakes,ponds, wetlands, or streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:Undetermined
Gerridae
Common name: Water Strider
Occurrence: 46 species in North America
Size: 3-18 mm
Habitat: Surface of ponds, streams, rivers, and ditches
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:Undetermined
Hebridae
Common name: Velvet Water Bug
Occurrence:15speciesinNorthAmerica
Size:1-2.5mm
Habitat: Floating algal mats and edges of ponds, marshes, and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:Undetermined
Hydrometridae
Common name: Water Measurer, Marsh Treader
Occurrence: 9 species in North America
Size: 7-10 mm
Habitat: Marshes, bogs, and edges of ponds and streams on vegetation
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:Undetermined
Mesoveliidae
Common name: Water Treader
Occurrence: 3 species in North America
Size: 2-4 mm
Habitat: Floating algal mats or aquatic vegetation in ponds,streams,orlakes
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:Undetermined
Naucoridae
Common name: Creeping Water Bug
Occurrence: 23 species in North America
Size:5-15mm
Habitat:Aquaticplantsatedgesoflakes,ponds,marshes, pools, and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:5(moderate)
Photo Credit: Dr. Jonathan Neal
Nepidae
Common name: Water Scorpion
Occurrence: 13 species in North America
Size:15-45mm
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams near the edges in the vegetation
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 8 (high)
Notonectidae
Common name:Backswimmer
Occurrence: 32 species in North America
Size:5-15mm
Habitat:Edgesoflakes,ponds,marshes,temporary pools, and ditches
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:Undetermined
Pleidae
Common name:PygmyBackswimmer
Occurrence:5speciesinNorthAmerica
Size:2-2.5mm
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams around the vegetation
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:Undetermined
Saldidae
Common name: Shore Bug
Occurrence:75speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 2-8 mm
Habitat:Edgesoflakes,marshes,andstreams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score:Undetermined
Veliidae
Common name: Broad-Shouldered Water Strider
Occurrence: 34 species in North America
Size: 2-6 mm
Habitat:Edgesoflakes,ponds,marshes,andstreams;can alsobefoundintherifflesunderrocksandlogs
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
TrichopteraCaddisflies
Brachycentridae
Common name:HumplessCasemaker
Occurrence: 6 genera with few species in North America
Size: 8-13 mm
Habitat: Flowing water of all sizes
Feeding group:Collectors/filterers,collectors/gatherers, shredders
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Glossosomatidae
Common name:SaddleCasemakerCaddisfly
Occurrence: 80 species in North America
Size: 3-10 mm
Habitat: Clear, cool streams; sometimes found in large rivers
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 0 (low)
Helicopsychidae
Common name:SnailCasemakerCaddisfly
Occurrence: 4 species in North America
Size: 8 mm (case the size of a pea)
Habitat: Streams with sandy bottoms
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
Hydropsychidae
Common name:CommonNetSpinnerCaddisfly
Occurrence:150speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 9-30 mm
Habitat:Flowingwateronrocksorwoodydebris
Feeding group: Collectors
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Hydroptilidae
Common name:MicroCaddisfly
Occurrence: 180 species in North America
Size: 2-6 mm
Habitat:Streamsandlakes
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Lepidostomatidae
Common name:LepidostomatidCasemaker
Occurrence: 60 species in North America
Size: 7-11 mm
Habitat:Small,coolstreams;sometimesonlakeshores or large rivers
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Leptoceridae
Common name:LongHornedCasemaker
Occurrence: 100 species in North America
Size:7-15mm
Habitat:Ponds,lakes,andslow-movingstreamsand rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/shredders
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Limnephilidae
Common name:NorthernCasemaker
Occurrence: 300 species in North America
Size:8-35mm
Habitat: Wide range of aquatic habitats with wood, vegetation,androcks
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Philopotamidae
Common name:FingerNetCaddisfly
Occurrence: 40 species in North America
Size:10-16.5mm
Habitat:Smallstreamstolargeriverswithflowingwater underlogsandrocks
Feeding group:Collectors/filterers
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
Phryganeidae
Common name:GiantCasemaker
Occurrence: 30 species in North America
Size:20-45mm
Habitat:Edgesofponds,lakes,marshes,andslow- flowingstreams
Feeding group: Predators, herbivores
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
DipteraFlies
Blephariceridae
Common name: Net-Winged Midge
Occurrence: 40 species in North America
Size: 4-12 mm
Habitat:Cool,fast-flowingstreamsandwaterfalls
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 0 (low)
Athericidae
Common name: Aquatic Snipe Fly
Occurrence:5speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 12-18 mm
Habitat: Underrocksintheriffleportionofstreams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Chaoboridae
Common name: Phantom Midge
Occurrence: 19 species in North America
Size: 6-12 mm
Habitat:Standingwaterinmarshes,lakes,andponds
Feeding group: Predator
Tolerance score: 8 (high)
Chironomidae
Common name: Non-Biting Midge
Occurrence: 817 species in North America
Size: 2-30 mm
Habitat:Everyaquatichabitat
Feeding group:Collectors/gatherers,collectors/filterers, scrapers, predators
Tolerance score: Pale forms, 6 (moderate) Red forms, 8 (high)
Culicidae
Common name: Mosquito
Occurrence:150speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 4-18 mm
Habitat:Everystill-waterhabitat
Feeding group:Collectors/filterers,collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 8 (high)
Dixidae
Common name:DixidMidge
Occurrence: 42 species in North America
Size:3-25mm
Habitat: Vegetation in still waters in marshes, ponds, and streams
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Empididae
Common name: Aquatic Dance Fly
Occurrence: 460 species in North America
Size: 3-20 mm
Habitat: Streams or edges of ponds and marshes
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Ephydridae
Common name: Shore Fly, Brine Fly
Occurrence: 430 species in North America
Size: 1-14 mm
Habitat:Edgesofponds,marshes,andstreamsinalgal mats or mud
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers, shredders, scrapers, predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Ceratopogonidae
Common name:BitingMidge,Punkie,No-See-Um
Occurrence: 603 species in North America
Size: 2-20 mm
Habitat:Slow-movinglakes,ponds,marshes,orstreams in soft sediment or algal masses
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Muscidae
Common name: House Fly, Stable Fly, Green Bottle Fly
Occurrence: 8 genera with aquatic larvae in North America
Size: 6-20 mm
Habitat: Running or standing water in ponds, marshes, and streams in algal mats
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Psychodidae
Common name: Moth Fly
Occurrence:50speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 3-6 mm
Habitat: Moist sediments and detritus at the edges of ponds, streams, and marshes
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 10 (high)
Sciomyzidae
Common name: Marsh Fly, Snail Killing Fly
Occurrence: 140 species in North America
Size:3-15mm
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Simuliidae
Common name:BlackFly,BuffaloGnat
Occurrence:205speciesinNorthAmerica
Size:3-15mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers with moderate to fast currents
Feeding group:Collectors/filterers
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Stratiomyidae
Common name: Soldier Fly
Occurrence:250speciesinNorthAmerica
Size:5-35mm
Habitat:Algalmatsfloatingonthewaterormudatthe edges of ponds, marshes, and streams
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 8 (high)
Syrphidae
Common name: Rattailed Maggot, Flower Fly
Occurrence: 900 species in North America
Size: 4-16 mm
Habitat: Shallow water in ponds, streams, and marshes; surviveinwaterwithlowoxygen
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 10 (high)
Tabanidae
Common name: Horse Fly, Deer Fly
Occurrence:350speciesinNorthAmerica
Size:15-60mm
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams burrowed into the sediment
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Tipulidae
Common name: Crane Fly
Occurrence:560speciesinNorthAmerica
Size: 3-60 mm
Habitat:Streams,ponds,andmarshesunderrocks,and in leaf debris and algal mats
Feeding group: Shredders, predators, or collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
MegalopteraAlderflies,
Dobsonflies, and
Fishflies
Photo Credit: Dr. Jonathan Neal
SialidaeCommon name:Alderfly
Occurrence:Approximately20speciesinonegenusin North America
Size: 10-28 mm
Habitat:Streams,rivers,lakes,ponds,bogs,andmarshes
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Photo Credit: Dr. Jonathan Neal
CorydalidaeCommon name:FishflyandDobsonfly
Occurrence:Approximately20speciesinNorthAmerica
Size:25-90mm
Habitat:Rifflesinstreamsunderrocks
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 0 (low)