Aquatic Insects

Aquatic insects spend at least part of their life cycle in or around 

• water
• plant life
• salt water
• soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Tiny, ancient insects found on surface of water, often in large numbers, found where food available (vegetation, detritus)

• Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)
  
• Odonata- Dragonflies and Damselflies
  
• Plecoptera- Stoneflies
  
• Collembola (Springtails)
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Nymphs during most of life cycle; after several years, emerge from water as adults, quickly mate and die (few hours or days)

• Odonata- Dragonflies and Damselflies
  
• Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)
  
• Plecoptera- Stoneflies
  
• Megaloptera/Neuroptera: Alderflies and Dobsonflies
  

Predators as nymphs and adults; larvae have unusual mouthparts; help significantly to control mosquito populations

• Odonata- Dragonflies and Damselflies
  
• Plecoptera- Stoneflies
• Hemiptera- True Bugs
  
• Trichoptera- Caddisfly
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Nymphs live under stones in rivers, streams; cold, fast running water is preferred environment; nymphs resemble adults (without wings)

• Trichoptera- Caddisfly
  
• Plecoptera- Stoneflies
  
• Coleoptera- Beetles
  
• Lepidoptera- Butterflies and Moths
  

Aquatic; can inflict a painful bite; vary in size (up to 7+ centimeters);Predators; Prefer slow-moving water and areas with vegetation

• Trichoptera- Caddisfly
• Megaloptera/Neuroptera: Alderflies and Dobsonflies
  
• Plecoptera- Stoneflies
  
• Hemiptera- True Bugs
  

Name means “case-bearer”. Build cases from materials in rivers (pebbles, leaf litter, twigs, etc.). Most cases about 1.5 cm long.

• Diptera (Flies)
  
• Coleoptera- Beetles
  
• Trichoptera- Caddisfly
  
• Lepidoptera- Butterflies and Moths
  

Immatures called “hellgramite” (fierce, 3’’+long, strong jaws to pinch); Like fast moving water in rocky streams; adults have giant jaws but they do not pinch

• Diptera (Flies)
  
• Megaloptera/Neuroptera: Alderflies and Dobsonflies
  
• Lepidoptera- Butterflies and Moths
• Coleoptera- Beetles
  

Most species NOT aquatic; some are in stems of aquatic plants in larval form

• Lepidoptera- Butterflies and Moths
• Coleoptera- Beetles
  
• Diptera (Flies)
  
• Collembola (Springtails)
  

Name means “shield wing”; diverse; not all are aquatic

• Coleoptera- Beetles
• Lepidoptera- Butterflies and Moths
  
• Diptera (Flies)
  
• Megaloptera/Neuroptera: Alderflies and Dobsonflies
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4