Aquatic Insect flashcards

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


Size: 12-35mm

Habitat: Silt-andclay-bottomedrivers,lakes,and streams

Feeding group:Collectors/gatherers/filterers


Siphlonuridae

Common name:PrimitiveMinnowMayfly


Size: 6-20 mm

Habitat:Shallowareasoflakesandponds,smallstreams, sandy-bottomed rivers

Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers

Tolerance score: 7 (high)

Baetiscidae

Common name: Armored Mayfly


Size: 4-14 mm

Habitat: Sand, gravel, vegetation, and woody debris of streams, rivers, and lakes



Ephemeridae

Common name:CommonBurrowingMayfly


Size: 10-32 mm

Habitat:Silt-orsand-bottomedrivers,lakes,ponds,and streams


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


Potamanthidae

Common name:HacklegillMayfly

Occurrence:5speciesinNorthAmerica

Size:8-15mm

Habitat: Rivers and medium–sized streams attached to rocksandwoodydebris

Feeding group: Collectors/filterers


Leptohyphidae

Common name:LittleStoutCrawlerMayfly


Size: 3-10 mm

Habitat: Streams and rivers with silt or gravel; associated with vegetation and detritus



Leptophlebiidae

Common name:Prong-GilledMayfly


Size:4-15mm

Habitat:Varietyofstreams,ponds,lakes,andriverson roots or gravel



Baetidae

Common name:SmallMinnowMayfly


Size: 3-12 mm

Habitat:Widevarietyofponds,lakes,streams,andrivers

Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/scrapers


Caenidae

Common name:SmallSquare-GillMayfly


Size: 2-8 mm

Habitat:Ponds,lakesandstreamswithsiltybottoms; associated with vegetation

Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/scrapers


Ephemerellidae

Common name:SpinyCrawlerMayfly


Size: 5-15mm

Habitat:Lakes,rivers,streams;associatedwith algal mats, roots, plants, and wood



PlecopteraStoneflies

Nemouridae

Common name:BrownStonefly


Size:5-20mm

Habitat: Small rivers, streams, and springs with soft substrates and leaf litter

Feeding group: Shredders


Perlidae

Common name:CommonStonefly


Size:8-35mm

Habitat: Streams and rivers under logs and stones

Feeding group: Predators


Taeniopterygidae

Common name:WinterStonefly


Size: 10-20 mm

Habitat:Flowingwatersonplantsorrocks

Feeding group: Shredders, some scrapers


Capniidae

Common name:SmallWinterStonefly


Size:5-10mm

Habitat:Fastormoderatelyflowingstreamswithgravel and debris



Leuctridae

Common name:Roll-WingedStonefly


Size: 6-20 mm

Habitat: Streams with swift currents and gravel or debris



Pteronarcyidae

Common name:GiantStonefly


Size:15-70mm

Habitat: Small, fast-moving streams



Perlodidae

Common name:PatternedStonefly


Size:10-50mm

Habitat: Flowing water under stones and leaves



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


Tolerance score:5(moderate)

ColeopteraBeetles

Dryopidae

Common name: Long-Toed Water Beetle (adult) (larvae live on land)


Size: 4-10 mm

Habitat:Streamsandriversunderrocksandlogs



Dytiscidae

Common name: Predaceous Diving Beetle (adult)


Size: 1-40 mm

Habitat: Any aquatic environment



Dytiscidae

Common name: Predaceous Diving Beetle (larvae)


Size: 2-70 mm

Habitat: Any aquatic environment



Elmidae

Common name:RiffleBeetle(adult)


Size: 1-8 mm

Habitat: Streamsandriversonrockybottoms



Elmidae

Common name:RiffleBeetle(larvae)


Size: 3-8 mm

Habitat:Streamsandriversonrockybottoms



Gyrinidae

Common name: Whirligig Beetle, Apple Beetle (adult)


Size:3-15mm

Habitat: Ponds and streams



Gyrinidae

Common name: Whirligig Beetle, Apple Beetle (larvae)


Size: 6-30 mm

Habitat: Ponds and streams



Haliplidae

Common name: Crawling Water Beetle (adult)


Size: 2-6 mm

Habitat:Pools,ponds,andshallowareasoflakeson vegetation



Haliplidae

Common name: Crawling Water Beetle (larvae)


Size:5-12mm

Habitat:Pools,ponds,andshallowareasoflakeson vegetation



Hydrophilidae

Common name: Water Scavenger Beetle (adult)


Size: 1-40 mm

Habitat:Ponds,lakes,andcalmareasofstreamsand rivers



Hydrophilidae

Common name: Water Scavenger Beetle (larvae)


Size: 4-60 mm

Habitat:Ponds,lakes,andcalmareasofstreamsand rivers

Feeding group: Predator


Psephenidae

Common name: Water Penny (only larvae aquatic)


Size: 3-10 mm

Habitat:Attachedtorocksinrifflesinstreams



OdonataDamselflies

andDragonflies

Calopterygidae

Common name:Broad-WingedDamselfly


Size:20-50mm

Habitat:Edgesofslow-movingstreams,clingingto plants



Coenagrionidae

Common name:Narrow-WingedDamselfly


Size:13-25mm

Habitat: Streams, ponds, and wetlands near edges on plants



Lestidae

Common name:Spread-WingedDamselfly


Size: 20-29 mm

Habitat: Marshes, ponds, and ditches on plants



Aeshnidae

Common name: Darner


Size:31-50mm

Habitat: Marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams on plants and woody debris



Gomphidae

Common name:Club-TailedDragonfly


Size: 23-40 mm

Habitat:Streams,rivers,lakes,andpondsinthesubstrate



Libellulidae

Common name:CommonSkimmer


Size: 18-42 mm

Habitat: Slow streams, rivers, marshes, ponds, and ditches on the bottom or on plants



HemipteraAquatic Bugs

Belostomatidae

Common name: Giant Water Bug, Toe-Biter


Size: 25-45mm

Habitat:Lakes,ponds,marshes,pools,andditches around aquatic vegetation



Corixidae

Common name: Water Boatman


Size: 3-11 mm

Habitat:Slow-movingponds,lakes,streams,marshes, and rivers



Gelastocoridae

Common name: Toad Bug


Size: 5-9mm

Habitat:Sandybeachesormuddyedgesoflakes,ponds, wetlands, or streams


Tolerance score:Undetermined

Gerridae

Common name: Water Strider


Size: 3-18 mm

Habitat: Surface of ponds, streams, rivers, and ditches



Hebridae

Common name: Velvet Water Bug


Size:1-2.5mm

Habitat: Floating algal mats and edges of ponds, marshes, and streams



Hydrometridae

Common name: Water Measurer, Marsh Treader


Size: 7-10 mm

Habitat: Marshes, bogs, and edges of ponds and streams on vegetation



Mesoveliidae

Common name: Water Treader


Size: 2-4 mm

Habitat: Floating algal mats or aquatic vegetation in ponds,streams,orlakes



Naucoridae

Common name: Creeping Water Bug


Size:5-15mm

Habitat:Aquaticplantsatedgesoflakes,ponds,marshes, pools, and streams



Photo Credit: Dr. Jonathan Neal

Nepidae

Common name: Water Scorpion


Size:15-45mm

Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams near the edges in the vegetation



Notonectidae

Common name:Backswimmer


Size:5-15mm

Habitat:Edgesoflakes,ponds,marshes,temporary pools, and ditches



Pleidae

Common name:PygmyBackswimmer


Size:2-2.5mm

Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams around the vegetation



Saldidae

Common name: Shore Bug


Size: 2-8 mm

Habitat:Edgesoflakes,marshes,andstreams



Veliidae

Common name: Broad-Shouldered Water Strider


Size: 2-6 mm

Habitat:Edgesoflakes,ponds,marshes,andstreams;can alsobefoundintherifflesunderrocksandlogs



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


Glossosomatidae

Common name:SaddleCasemakerCaddisfly


Size: 3-10 mm

Habitat: Clear, cool streams; sometimes found in large rivers



Helicopsychidae

Common name:SnailCasemakerCaddisfly


Size: 8 mm (case the size of a pea)

Habitat: Streams with sandy bottoms



Hydropsychidae

Common name:CommonNetSpinnerCaddisfly


Size: 9-30 mm

Habitat:Flowingwateronrocksorwoodydebris

Feeding group: Collectors


Hydroptilidae

Common name:MicroCaddisfly


Size: 2-6 mm

Habitat:Streamsandlakes



Lepidostomatidae

Common name:LepidostomatidCasemaker


Size: 7-11 mm

Habitat:Small,coolstreams;sometimesonlakeshores or large rivers



Leptoceridae

Common name:LongHornedCasemaker


Size:7-15mm

Habitat:Ponds,lakes,andslow-movingstreamsand rivers

Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/shredders


Limnephilidae

Common name:NorthernCasemaker


Size:8-35mm

Habitat: Wide range of aquatic habitats with wood, vegetation,androcks



Philopotamidae

Common name:FingerNetCaddisfly


Size:10-16.5mm

Habitat:Smallstreamstolargeriverswithflowingwater underlogsandrocks

Feeding group:Collectors/filterers


Phryganeidae

Common name:GiantCasemaker


Size:20-45mm

Habitat:Edgesofponds,lakes,marshes,andslow- flowingstreams

Feeding group: Predators, herbivores


DipteraFlies

Blephariceridae

Common name: Net-Winged Midge


Size: 4-12 mm

Habitat:Cool,fast-flowingstreamsandwaterfalls



Athericidae

Common name: Aquatic Snipe Fly


Size: 12-18 mm

Habitat: Underrocksintheriffleportionofstreams



Chaoboridae

Common name: Phantom Midge


Size: 6-12 mm

Habitat:Standingwaterinmarshes,lakes,andponds

Feeding group: Predator


Chironomidae

Common name: Non-Biting Midge


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


Size: 4-18 mm

Habitat:Everystill-waterhabitat

Feeding group:Collectors/filterers,collectors/gatherers


Dixidae

Common name:DixidMidge


Size:3-25mm

Habitat: Vegetation in still waters in marshes, ponds, and streams



Empididae

Common name: Aquatic Dance Fly


Size: 3-20 mm

Habitat: Streams or edges of ponds and marshes



Ephydridae

Common name: Shore Fly, Brine Fly


Size: 1-14 mm

Habitat:Edgesofponds,marshes,andstreamsinalgal mats or mud

Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers, shredders, scrapers, predators


Ceratopogonidae

Common name:BitingMidge,Punkie,No-See-Um


Size: 2-20 mm

Habitat:Slow-movinglakes,ponds,marshes,orstreams in soft sediment or algal masses



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



Psychodidae

Common name: Moth Fly


Size: 3-6 mm

Habitat: Moist sediments and detritus at the edges of ponds, streams, and marshes



Sciomyzidae

Common name: Marsh Fly, Snail Killing Fly


Size:3-15mm

Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams



Simuliidae

Common name:BlackFly,BuffaloGnat


Size:3-15mm

Habitat: Streams and rivers with moderate to fast currents

Feeding group:Collectors/filterers


Stratiomyidae

Common name: Soldier Fly


Size:5-35mm

Habitat:Algalmatsfloatingonthewaterormudatthe edges of ponds, marshes, and streams



Syrphidae

Common name: Rattailed Maggot, Flower Fly


Size: 4-16 mm

Habitat: Shallow water in ponds, streams, and marshes; surviveinwaterwithlowoxygen



Tabanidae

Common name: Horse Fly, Deer Fly


Size:15-60mm

Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams burrowed into the sediment



Tipulidae

Common name: Crane Fly


Size: 3-60 mm

Habitat:Streams,ponds,andmarshesunderrocks,and in leaf debris and algal mats

Feeding group: Shredders, predators, or collectors/gatherers


MegalopteraAlderflies,

Dobsonflies, and

Fishflies

SialidaeCommon name:Alderfly

Occurrence:Approximately20speciesinonegenusin North America

Size: 10-28 mm

Habitat:Streams,rivers,lakes,ponds,bogs,andmarshes



CorydalidaeCommon name:FishflyandDobsonfly

Occurrence:Approximately20speciesinNorthAmerica

Size:25-90mm

Habitat:Rifflesinstreamsunderrocks



Aquatic Insect flashcards

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