Stream Explorers: Macroinvertebrate ID (Quiz 1)

How are you using this quiz?

Its primary purpose is to test the knowledge of Maine Stream Explorers and help train them to be best prepared for their community science macroinvertebrate sampling coordinated by Maine Audubon (and in partnership with the organizations above).

To learn more and see the training guide, check out Maine Audubon's Stream Explorers webpage under their Conservation Projects at https://maineaudubon.org/projects/stream-explorers/

(Author: Amy Cazier, AmeriCorps Environmental Steward with Maine Department of Environmental Protection)

• Stream Explorer

• Teacher

• Student

• Aquatic Biologist

• Bug Enthusiast

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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Which outlined part of the macroinvertebrate is the thorax?

• 1

• 2

• 3

Answer explanation

1. is the head

2. is the thorax (it is where all the legs join the body)

3. is the abdomen

Select the macroinvertebrates that have segmented legs.

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Answer explanation

Both of the fly larvae only have fleshy nubs known as prolegs and no segmented legs. The damselfly naiad and caddisfly larva have segmented legs, where you can see the divisions in the appendages.

*The caddisfly larva also has a pair of prolegs at the end of the abdomen.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Select the macroinvertebrates that have wing pads.

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Answer explanation

Insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis like damselflies and stoneflies have wing pads in their naiad stage. Wing pads are an insect's developing wings before it reaches the adult stage. The adult beetle has fully developed wings and the caddisfly larva, which will undergo complete metamorphosis does not have any wing pads - no larva does. The caddisfly will develop its wings in the pupal stage before emerging as an adult.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which outlined part of the macroinvertebrate is the head?

• 1

• 2

• 3

Answer explanation

1. head: has all the mouthparts and antennae

2. thorax

3. abdomen

Select the macroinvertebrates that have three pairs of segmented legs.

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Answer explanation

The stonefly and damselfly have three pairs of segmented legs. The isopod has more than 5 pairs of segmented legs. That watersnipe fly does not have any segmented legs, but many pairs of prolegs (fleshy unsegmented nubs).

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which outlined part of the macroinvertebrate is the abdomen?

• 1

• 2

• 3

Answer explanation

The abdomen is the third (last) major division of the body.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which outlined part(s) of the macroinvertebrate are prolegs?

• 1

• 2

• 3

Answer explanation

Only the legs in the third outline are prolegs. Options 1 and 2 are both segmented legs. You can see the divisions of the leg shown by the red lines on the magnification.

Select the macroinvertebrates with prolegs.

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Answer explanation

All but the mayfly naiad have at least one proleg. Prolegs are not segmented legs but fleshy nubs or false legs. Only insects that undergo complete metamorphosis can have prolegs. The mayflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis and do not have any prolegs.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Select the shells

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Answer explanation

The limpet and the Physidae snail are the only macroinvertebrates in this question that have shells. Caddisflies construct cases from available materials (like sand and plants) for protection from predators. Sometimes these might resemble shells

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1