Mayflies

Order: Ephemeroptera 

Wing pads may be present on the thorax; three pairs of segmented legs attach to the thorax; one claw occurs on the end of the segmented legs; gills occur on the abdominal segments and are attached mainly to the sides of the abdomen, but sometimes extend over the top and bottom of the abdomen; gills consist of either flat plates or filaments; three long thin caudal (tails filaments) usually occur at the end of the abdomen, but there may only be two in some kinds. 

Swimming Mayflies

• Ameletidae (Ameletid Minnow Mayfly)

  Comb of stiff spines on the mouthparts; gills have a dark, sclerotized (hard) band along the outside edge; antennae are shorter than twice the width of the head; usually have dark bands on the tail and alternating dark and light on the abdomen. Swimmer/clinger; Collector/gatherer; VS-M (L)(F).
  Ameletidae Adult Form  

• Baetidae (Small Minnow Mayfly)

  Antennae two times longer than the width of the head; gills variable in shape and attached at abdominal segments one through seven; two or three caudal (tail) filaments. Swimmer; Collector/gatherer; VS-M (M)(F/S).
  Baetidae Adult Form  

• Isonychiidae (Brush-Legged Mayfly)

  Forelegs have a double row of hairs; gills oval shaped and present on abdominal segments one through seven; long hairs on the margins of the caudal filaments. Swimmer/crawler; Collector/gatherer; S-M (L)(F).
  Isonychiidae Adult Form  

• Siphlonuridae (Primitive Minnow Mayfly)

  Antennae less than two-time the width of the head; gills usually oval shaped and present on abdominal segments one through seven; long setae on the caudal filaments. Swimmer; Collector/gatherer; S-M (L)(F/S).
  Siphlonuridae Adult Form  

Clinging/Crawling Mayflies

• Caenidae (Square-Gilled Mayfly)

  Gills on the first abdominal segment very small; gills on the second segment operculate (plate-like) covering much of the remaining gills. Clinger/crawler; Collector/gatherer; VS-S (M)(F/S).
  Caenidae Adult Form  

• Ephemerellidae (Spiny Crawler Mayfly)

  Gills present of the first abdominal segment but absent from the second; gills usually present on the remaining segments; two or three caudal filaments. Clinger/crawler; Collector/gatherer; VS-M (L)(F).
  Ephemerellidae Adult Form  

• Heptageniidae (Flatheaded Mayfly)

  Body, head and legs are flattened (femora); gills present on abdominal segments one through seven; usually three caudal filaments, but some may have two. Clinger; Scraper; S-M (L)(F).
  Heptageniidae Adult Form  

• Leptophlebiidaae (Prong-Gilled Mayfly)

  Gills on abdominal segments two through seven forked and variable in shape; gills on the first segment finger-like; short hairs usually cover the caudal filaments. Clinger/crawler; Collector/gatherer; VS-M (L)(F).
  Leptophlebiidaae Adult Form  

• Tricorythidae (Stout Crawler Mayfly)

  Gills absent from abdominal segment one; gills on segment two are (operculate), plate-like triangular or oval shaped and conceals gills on segments three through six. Clinger/crawler; Collector/gatherer; VS-M (M)(F/S).
  Tricorythidae Adult Form  

Burrowing Mayflies

• Beatiscidae (Armored Mayfly)

  Top portion of the thorax is fused and coves most of the abdomen concealing the gills; caudal filaments are short and fringed with hairs. Burrower/crawler; Collector/gatherer; VS-M (M)(F).
  Beatiscidae Adult Form  

• Ephemeridae (Burrowing Mayfly)

  Has upturned mandibular tusks; head and front legs slightly widened and are used for burrowing; gills on the upper abdominal segments are small and the remaining gills are forked with fringed margins (feathered) and held over the top and sides of the abdomen. Burrower; Collector/gatherer; M-L (M)(S/F).
  Ephemeridae Adult Form  

• Potamanthidae (Hackle-Gilled Mayfly)

  Mandibular tusks present; front legs slender, not modified for burrowing; gills on segment one small, gills on remaining abdominal segments are feathery. Burrower; Collector/gatherer; S-M (M)(S/F).
  Potamanthidae Adult Form  

Stoneflies

Order: Plecoptera

Long thin antenna project in front of the head; wing pads usually present on the thorax but may only be visible in older larvae; three pairs of segmented legs attach to the thorax; two claws are located at the end of the segmented legs; gills occur on the thorax region, usually on the legs or bottom of the thorax, or there may be no visible gills (usually there are none or very few gills on the abdomen); gills are either single or branched filaments; two long thin tails project from the rear of the abdomen. All stoneflies have low-very low (L) tolerance to many insults; however, several families are tolerant of slightly acidic conditions. 

Winter Stoneflies

• Capniidae (Small Winter Stonefly)

  Slender elongated body; front of thorax slightly wider than the abdomen; wing pads not divergent from the midline; abdominal segments separated by a membranous fold. Clinger/crawler; Shredder; S-M (F).
  Capniidae Adult Form  

• Leuctridae (Rolled-Wing Stonefly)

  Slender elongated body; front of thorax slightly wider than the abdomen; wing pads not divergent from the midline; abdominal segments not separated by a membranous fold. Very similar characteristics to Capniidae. Clinger/crawler; Shredder; S-M (F).
  Leuctridae Adult Form  

• Taeniopterygidae (Winter Stonefly)

  Stout bodies with pronotum much wider than the abdomen; wing pads greatly divergent from the midline. Clinger/crawler; Shredder/scraper; S-M (F).
  Taenioptery Adult Form  

Patterned Stoneflies

• Chloroperlidae (Green Stonefly)

  Body elongated, front of the thorax slightly wider than the abdomen; wing pads not divergent from the midline; tails shorter than the abdomen. Will sometimes have patterns similar to Perlodidae. Clinger/crawler; Shredder/predator; M (F).
  Chloroperlidae Adult Form  

• Perlidae (Common Stonefly)

  Usually a large strikingly patterned and often having a golden color; finely branched gills present on all thoracic segments; wing pads diverge slightly from the midline. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-L (F).
  Perlidae Adult Form  

• Perlodidae (Perlodid Stonefly)

  Strikingly patterned and colored similar in appearance to Perlidae; hind wing pads divergent; no gills on the thoracic segments. Clinger/crawler; Shredder; M-L (F).
  Perlodidae Adult Form  

Other Stoneflies

• Nemouridae (Little Brown Stonefly)

  Very small, often hairy appearance; wing pads diverge greatly from the midline; hind legs as long as the abdomen; gills often present between the head and thorax. Clinger/crawler; Shredder; S-M (F/S).
  Nemouridae Adult Form  

• Peltoperlidae (Roach-Like Stonefly)

  Small stout body; rear divergent wing pads; thoracic segments are oval or triangular shaped and cover much of the upper body; some have fine gills on the front legs. Clinger/crawler; Shredder; S-M (F).
  Peltoperlidae Adult Form  

• Pteronarcyidae (Giant Stonefly)

  Very lar​ge and usually dark brown in color; finely branched gills on all thoracic segments plus the first two abdominal segments. Clinger/crawler; Shredder; M-VL (F).
  Pteronarcyidae Adult Form  

Caddisflies

Order: Trichoptera

Head has a thick hardened skin; antennae are very short, usually not visible; no wing pads occur on the thorax; top of the first thorax always has a hardened plate and in several families the second and third section of the thorax have a hardened plate; three pairs of segmented legs attach to the thorax; abdomen has a thin soft skin; single or branched gills on the abdomen in many families, but some have no visible gills; pair of prolegs with one claw on each, is situated at the end of the abdomen; most families construct various kinds of retreats consisting of a wide variety of materials collected from the streambed.  

Net-Spinning Caddisflies

• Hydropschiidae (Common netspinner)

  Top of all thoracic segments hardened; most abdominal segments have tufts of finely branched gills; anal prolegs terminate into a brush of hairs. Does not make cases but instead creates a retreat (net) made of a variety of materials held together by fine strands of silk. Note: Can be green in color and look similar to free-living caddisflies. Clinger/crawler; Collector/filterer; M-L (M)(F/S).
  Hydropschiidae Adult Form  

• Philopotamidae (Finger-net caddisfly)

  Labrum is t-shaped and membranous; head capsule large usually bright yellow or cream colored; only first thoracic segment is hardened; abdominal gills usually absent. Builds a long tube or finger-like net. Clinger/crawler; Collector/filterer; M (L)(F).
  Philopotamidae Adult Form  

• Polycentropodidae (Tube-net caddisfly)

  Labrum is rounded and hardened; only first thoracic segment is hardened; no plates or gills on the abdominal segments. Does not build cases but instead constructs a net that is often in the shape of a long tube. Clinger/crawler; Collector/filterer/predator; S-L (M)(F/S).
  Polycentropodidae Adult Form  

• Psychomyiidae (Trumpet-net caddisfly)

  Bottom of thorax is hardened with black edges; middle thoracic segment is swollen and usually larger than the others; has an enlarged hatchet shaped leg segment on the upper legs. Thier nets are variable but most have a tube-shape. Clinger/crawler; Collector; M (M)(F).
  Psychomyiidae Adult Form  

Free-Living Caddisfly

• Rhyacophilidae (Free-living caddisfly)

  First thoracic segment is hardened; abdominal gills variable; hardened plate on top of abdominal segment nine; distinctive anal prolegs with large claws. This family does not build ​a case or net, but often uses silk strands to attach itself to substrates. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-L (L)(F).
  Rhyacophilidae Adult Form  

Additional Information

• Common Caddisfly Families

  Scientific drawings and information about common families of caddisflies.

Case-Building Caddisflies

• Brachycentridae (Humpless-case caddisfly)

  Antennae close to the margins of the head capsule; first two thoracic segments with hardened plates; no humps on abdominal segments; gills simple or lacking. The case is elongated and made of strips of materials, resembles a log cabin. Clinger; Collector/gatherer/shredder; M (L)(F).
  Brachycentridae Adult Form  

• Glossosomatidae (Saddle-case caddisfly)

  First thoracic segment is hardened; hardened plate on top of abdominal segments nine. The case resembles a tortoise shell or saddle. Clinger; Scraper/shredder; VS-M (L)(F).
  Glossosomatidae Adult Form  

• Goeridae (Goerid-case caddisfly)

  Hardened head, yellow to reddish brown colored; large horn-like structure on the thorax. The case is constructed with sand-grains and small pebbles, usually is slightly curved. Clinger; Scraper; VS-M (L)(F/S).
  Goeridae Adult Form  

• Helicopsychidae (Snail-case caddisfly)

  Body is curled; all three thoracic segments are hardened; stout hairs at the end of the third thoracic segment; gills present on anterior abdominal segments. The case resembles a snail shell. Clinger; Scraper; VS-S (L)(F).
  Helicopsychidae Adult Form  

• Hydroptilidae (Purse-case caddisfly)

  All three of their thoracic segments have sclerotized dorsal plates; no gills on the abdomen; most commonly build cases with sand, algae, silk or detritus, but the shapes vary considerably. Clinger/crawler; Scraper; VS-S (M)(F/S).
  Hydroptilidae Adult Form  

• Lepidostomatidae (Scaly-mouth caddisfly)

  Antennae located close to the eyes; lateral hump on abdominal segment one; first two thoracic segments hardened; gills simple or lacking; hardened plate on top of abdominal segment nine. The case is usually four-sided built with square pieces of barks and leaves. Clinger/crawler; Shredder; S-M (L)(F).
  Lepidostomatidae Adult Form  

• Leptoceridae (Longhorn-case caddisfly)

  Antennae prominent; first two thoracic segments hardened; hind legs are usually longer than the front legs; abdominal gills variable. The cases are built from a variety of materials and vary considerably; the most common is a stone/sand case resembling a long tube. Clinger/crawler; Collector/predator; S-M (L)(F/S).
  Leptoceridae Adult Form  

• Limnephilidae (Northern-case caddisfly)

  Antennae between the eyes and the mouth; first two thoracic segments hardened; dorsal and lateral humps on first abdominal segment; hardened plate on the top of abdominal segment nine; abdominal gills variable. The cases are built from many kinds of bottom materials and exhibit a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Clinger/crawler; Shredder; S-L (L)(F).
  Limnephilidae Adult Form  

• Molannidae (Hooded-case caddisfly)

  Two-thirds of the top of the thorax is hardened; tarsal claws on the hind legs smaller than the rest and are covered with fine hairs; gills along the abdomen are simple or branched; a hardened plate sits atop abdominal segment nine. The cases are constructed mostly with sand and pea gravel, shaped like a flattened tube with a hood that extends over the opening. Clinger/crawler; Collector/shredder; S-M (M)(S).
  Molannidae Adult Form  

• Phryganeidae (Giant-case caddisfly)

  Head and portions of the thorax marked with prominent stripes; front part of the thorax hardened; dorsal and lateral humps on abdominal segment one; hardened plate on top of abdominal segment nine. They build elongated cases out of plant fragments. Certain genus are known to feed on amphibian egg-sacks. Clinger/crawler; Collector/predator; M-L (M)(S).
  Phryganeidae Adult Form  

• Uenoidae (Uenoid-case caddisfly)

  The first two thoracic segments are hardened and there are some small plates present on the third; abdominal segment one has a hump, and the anterior margin of their mesonotum is notched on either side of the midline; cases are variable but usually always constructed with small stones and sand. Clinger/crawler; Scraper; S-M (L)(F).
  Uenoidae Adult Form  

Aquatic Moth

Order: Lepidoptera

Head hardened; a few families have elongated lateral gills; three pairs of segmented legs attach to the thorax; abdomen with prolegs that end in tiny hooks. They often look very similar to terrestrial caterpillars; closely related to Trichoptera. Crawler/burrower; Shredder; VS-M (M)(S/F).
Lepidoptera Adult Form  

Dragonflies and Damselflies

Order: Odonata

Dragonflies: Lower lip (labium) is long and elbowed to fold back against the head when not feeding, thus concealing other mouthparts; wing pads are present on the thorax; three pairs of segmented legs attach to the thorax; no gills on the sides of the abdomen; three pointed structures may occur at the end of the abdomen forming a pyramid shaped opening; bodies are long and stout or some- what oval. Damselflies: Three flat gills at the end of the abdomen forming a tail-like structure and their bodies are long and slender. 

Dragonflies (Sub-Order Anisoptera)

• Aeshnidae (Darner Dragonfly)

  Prementum and papal lobes are flattened; six or seven antennal segments present all of a similar size. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-VL (L)(S).
  Aeshnidae Adult Form  

• Cordulegastridae (Spiketail Dragonfly)

  Often appear hairy; prementum large, covering much of the underside of the head, usually triangular shaped. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-L (L)(S/F).
  Cordulegastridae Adult Form  

• Gomphidae (Clubtail Dragonfly)

  Body shape variable from long cylindrical to oval and flattened; prementum flattened; third antennal segment large and different from the rest. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-L (M)(S/F).
  Gomphidae Adult Form  

• Libellulidae (Skimmer Dragonfly)

  Antennal segments similar in shape and size; prementum and palpal lobes spoon shaped or small and rounded. There is some uncertainties in this group, some taxonomist include sub-families Macromiinae and Corduliinae to distinguish the long legs and horn between the eyes. Crawler/burrower; Predator; M-L (H)(S).
  Libellulidae Adult Form  

Damselflies (Sub-Order Zygoptera)

• Calopterygidae (Broadwing Damselfly)

  Lower portion of labium is diamond shaped; first antennal segment longer than all the others together; middle gills shorter than the lateral two; no visible veins on the gills. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-L (M)(S/F).
  Calopterygidae Adult Form  

• Coenagrionidae (Narrowwing Damselfly)

  Slender but slightly more stout bodied than most damselflies; labium triangular shaped; antennal segments same length; gills sa​me length, veins radiate diagonally. Clinger, crawler; Predator; M-L (H)(S).
  Coenagrionidae Adult Form  

• Lestidae (Spreadwing Damselfly)

  Long and slender bodied; labium stalked and spoon shaped; all gills similar in shape with perpendicular veins. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-L (H)(S).
  Lestidae Adult Form  

Beetles

Order: Coleoptera

Head has thick hardened skin; thorax and abdomen of most adult families have moderately hardened skin, several larvae have a soft-skinned abdomen; no wing pads on the thorax in most larvae, but wing pads are usually visible on adults; three pairs of segmented legs attach to the thorax; no structures or projections extent from the sides of the abdomen in most adult families, but some larval stages have flat plates or filaments; no prolegs or long tapering filaments at the end of the abdomen. Beetles are one of the most diverse the insect groups, but are not as common in aquatic environments. Most of the adult stages of the families listed here are aquatic or semi-aquatic. 

• Crysomelidae (Reed Beetle)

  The body is soft; three-pairs of segmented legs attached to the thorax and two hooks on the lower end of the abdomen. Crawler; Collector/gatherer; S-M (H)(S).  

• Dytiscidae (Predacious Diving Beetle)

  Legs have five-segments and two-claws on the end; abdomen terminates into a pair of filaments. Adult: slender antennae; hind coxae extends posterior dividing the first abdominal segment into two sections. Swimmer/crawler; Predator; VS-VL (M)(S).
  Dytiscidae Adult Form  

• Elmidae (Riffle Beetle)

  Larvae: Legs with four segments and a single claw; nine abdominal segments some with a cavity that protect the hind gills. Adult: hard bodied, slender sometimes clubbed antennae; the forewings have numerous rows of indentations; legs long compared to body. Clinger/crawler; Scraper/shredder; VS-S (M)(F).  

• Gyrinidae (Whirligig Beetle)

  Two claws of each leg, legs with five segments; ten abdominal segments with pairs of lateral filaments. Adult: compound eyes, which appear divided into pairs; antennae clubbed; mid and hind legs paddle-like. Swimmer/crawler; Predator; S-L (M)(S/F).
  Gyrinidae Adult Form  

• Haliplidae (Crawling Water Beetle)

  Legs with five segments and a single claw; abdomen terminates into long filaments; some have many long slender filaments along the entire length of the body. Adult: antennae long and slender; forewings have many indentations; legs lined with small hairs for swimming. Swimmer/crawler; Shredder; S-M (H)(S).
  Haliplidae Adult Form  

• Hydrophlidae (Water Scavenger Beetle)

  Large mandibles; legs with four segments and a single claw; end of the abdomen usually blunt. Adult: antennae clubbed with cup-like segments at the base; hind coxae (joined base) do not extend or divide the abdomen. Swimmer/crawler; Predator; VS-VL (H)(S).
  Hydrophlidae Adult Form  

• Psephenidae (Water Penny)

  Body flattened with thoracic and abdominal segments expanded so that the legs and head are obscured from above; legs terminate into a single claw. The adult is semi-aquatic, sometimes encountered near the stream. Clinger/crawler; Scraper; VS-M (L)(F).  

True Bugs

Order: Hemiptera

The most distinguishing characteristic of the order is the mouthparts that are modified into an elongated, sucking beak. Most adults have hemelytra, which are modified leathery forewings. Some adults and all larvae lack wings; both most mature larvae posses wing pads. Both adults and larvae have three-pairs of segmented legs with two tarsal claws at the end of each leg. Many families are able to also utilize atmospheric oxygen. This order is generally not used for the biological assessment of flowing waters, due to their ability to use atmospheric oxygen. Several families are described. 

Hellgrammite, Fishfly, and Alderfly

Order: Megaloptera

Head and thorax has thick hardened skin, while the abdomen has thin soft skin; prominent chewing mouthparts project in front of the head; no wing pads on the thorax; three pairs of segmented legs attach to the thorax; seven or eight pairs of stout tapering filaments extend from the abdomen; end of the abdomen has either a pair of prolegs with two claws on each proleg, or a single long tapering filament with no prolegs. 

• Corydalidae (Hellgrammite)

  Elongate dorsally flattened body; large jaws on the head, projecting forward; first eight abdominal segments and segment ten with paired lateral filaments; gill-tufts beneath/beside the filaments; abdomen terminates in fleshy appendages bearing hooks. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-VL (L)(F).
  Corydalidae Adult Form  

• Chauliodinae (Fishfly):

  Elongate dorsally flattened body; large jaws on the head, projecting forward; first eight abdominal segments and segment ten with paired lateral filaments;​ no gill-tufts; abdomen terminates in fleshy appendages bearing hooks. Clinger/crawler; Predator; M-L (L)(F).
  Chauliodinae Adult Form  

• Sialidae (Alderfly)

  Elongate dorsally flattened body; large jaws on the head, projecting forward; first seven abdominal segments and segment ten with paired lateral filaments; abdomen terminates into a single long hairy filament. Crawler/burrower; Predator; S-L (M)(S/F).
  Sialidae Adult Form  

True Flies

Order: Diptera

Head may be a capsule-like structure with thick hard skin; head may be partially reduced so that it appears to be part of the thorax, or it may be greatly reduced with only the mouthparts visible; no wing pads occur on the thorax; false-legs (pseudo-legs) may extend from various sections of the thorax and abdomen in some families; no segmented legs in the larval forms; thorax and abdomen composed of entirely soft skin, but some families have hardened plates scattered on various body features. Note: the larval stages do not have legs. 

Midges/Mosquitoes

• Blephariceridae (Net-Wing Midge)

  Head fused with thorax and first abdominal segment; six abdominal segments with deep constrictions between segments; gill tufts present ventrally. Clinger; Scraper; VS-S (L)(F).
  Blephariceridae Adult Form  

• Ceratopogonidae (Biting Midge)

  Variable characteristics occur in this family, often similar in appearance to Chironomidae; usually a distinct head is visible with small mandibles. Crawler/burrower; Predator; VS-M (H)(F/S).
  Ceratopogonidae Adult Form  

• Chironomidae (Non-Biting Midge)

  Hardened clearly visible head; long worm-like body; two pairs of prolegs with terminal hooks. Some may be red in color due to a hemoglobin-like compound. Crawler/burrower; Collector/gatherer; VS-L (H)(F/S).
  Chironomidae Adult Form  

• Culicidae (Mosquito)

  Head hardened and separate from the thorax; brush-like hairs near the labrum (upper-lip); thorax is fused and swollen and wider than the abdomen. Swimmer; Collector/gatherer, filterer; VS-M (H)(S).
  Culicidae Adult Form  

• Dixidae (Dixid Midge)

  Head hardened and rounded; prolegs terminate in hooks on abdominal segment one and two; abdomen terminates into two lobes fringed with hairs. Crawler/burrower; Collector/gatherer; VS-M (M)(S/F).
  Dixidae Adult Form  

• Syrphidae (Rat-Tailed Maggot)

  Head blunt or reduced and withdrawn into the thorax; 7 prolegs; abdomen terminates into a very long respiratory tube. Crawler/burrower; Collector/gatherer; VS-M (H)(S).
  Syrphidae Adult Form  

Flies

• Athericidae (Watersnipe Fly)

  Body long (caterpillar-like); head reduced but may be visible; prolegs on most abdominal segments; abdomen ends in a fringed tail. The family is often green in color. Clinger/crawler; Predator; S-M (L)(F).
  Athericidae Adult Form  

• Empididae (Dance Fly)

  Body elongated; head reduced or pulled into the thorax; prolegs present on most abdominal segments; prolegs longer on segment eight; abdomen is blunt on the end or terminates in welts. Crawler/burrower; Predator; VS-M (H)(S/F).
  Empididae Adult Form  

• Muscidae (Muscid Fly)

  Anterior portion of the body tapered, posterior is blunt; head reduced orwithdrawn into thorax; whelps on abdominal segments; abdomen terminates into a pair of respiratory tubes. Burrower; Predator; S-M (H)(S/F).
  Muscidae Adult Form  

• Psychodicae (Moth Fly)

  Head hardened, rounded and separate from the thorax; body segments with two to three secondary divisions (annuli) often having hardened plates. Burrower; Collector/gatherer; VS-S (H)(S).  

• Ptychopteridae (Phantom Cranefly)

  Head hardened and rounded; prolegs present on abdominal segments one through three, terminating with claws; abdomen terminates into a long respiratory tube. Crawler/burrower; Collector/gatherer; M (H)(S).
  Ptychopteridae Adult Form  

• Simuliidae (Black Fly)

  Head hardened and rounded bearing a pair of labral fans (mouth brushes); prolegs on lower thorax; lower third of the abdomen is swollen (vase-like) and terminates in a ring of hooks. Clinger; Collector/filterer; VS-M (M)(F).
  Simuliidae Adult Form  

• Stratiomyidae (Soldier Fly)

  Body is flattened dorsally with a leathery feel; head is reduced but visible; thorax is broader than the head; spiracles at the end of the abdomen for breathing. Swimmer/burrower; Collector/gatherer; S-L (H)(S).
  Stratiomyidae Adult Form  

• Tabanidae (Horse Fly)

  Body spindle shape both ends tapered; head reduced usually not visible; creeping welts with small hooks present on abdominal segments one through seven; no prolegs. Crawler/burrower; Predator; M-VL (H)(S/F).
  Tabanidae Adult Form  

• Tipulidae (Crane Fly)

  Rounded head capsule, often reduced and barely visible; ventral welts on some abdominal segments; abdomen terminates into a disc surrounded by lobes or tentacle-like projections of varying shapes. Crawler/burrower; Shredder/predator; VS-VL (M)(F/S).
  Tipulidae Adult Form  

Springtails

Order: Collembola

Abdomen consisting of six segments, the first having collophores; abdomen terminates into a forked appendage. Has a habit of jumping on the surface of the water. Swimmer/crawler; Collector/gatherer; VS (M)(S). 

Spongilliflies

Order: Neuroptera

Antennae long and multi-segmented; jaws long and needle-like; body covered in tiny hairs (seta); has a pair of hardened plates on the thorax and each abdominal segment. They are associated with freshwater sponges, found on the outside or in the canals of the sponge. Clinger; Piercer; VS-S (U)(S). 

Water Mites

Class: Arachnida
Family: Hydrachnidae  

Four-pairs of segmented legs; one-pair of pedipalps; body is rounded and appears to consist entirely of an abdomen without segments. When captured will move rapidly in a circular pattern. Swimmer/crawler; Predator; S-M (M)(F). 

Learn More

• Hydrachnidae (Water Mites)

Crayfish, Shrimp, Scuds and Sowbugs

Sub-Phylum: Crustacea

More than three pairs of legs (> 6) attached to the thorax; the first several pairs of legs may have a hinged claw, which is often enlarged as in the order Decapoda; bodies strongly flattened from top to bottom or from side to side; abdomen consists of individual segments or the segments may be fused to form a thoracic shield; some kinds have a broad flipper on the end of the abdomen. 

Order Amphipoda

• Gammaridae (Sideswimmer)

  Has a shrimp-like appearance; body flattened from side to side; one pairs of antennae of equal length; seven-pairs of walking legs, first two are claw-like the remaining legs are simple. Has a habit of swimming sideways. Crawler/burrower; Collector/gatherer; S-M (M)(F). 

Order Isopoda

• Asellidae (Aquatic Sowbug)

  Body dorsally flattened; two-pairs of antennae one longer than the other; seven-pairs of legs, the first is claw-like and slightly enlarged, and the others have a simple pointed claw. Looks similar in appearance to its terrestrial cousin. Crawler/burrower; Collector/gatherer; S-M (H)(S/F). 

Order Decapoda

• Cambaridae (Crayfish)

  Body mostly dorsally flattened; two-pairs of antennae one longer than the other; five-pairs of legs, first three-pairs with hinged claws and the first pair of claws are greatly enlarged; abdomen terminates in a flipper-like structure. Crawler/burrower; Collector/gatherer; M-VL (M)(S/F). 

• Palaemonidae (Freshwater Shrimp)

  Cephalothorax and abdomen cylindrical with some side-to-side flattening; 5-pairs of walking legs the first two have claws, which are not enlarged; abdomen terminates in a flipper-like structure. Crawler/swimmer; Scraper; M-VL (M)(S). 

Other

Crustaceans listed below are occasionally collec​ted, but due to their very small sizes and unknown tolerances are not usually included in the biosurvey analysis. 

• Cladocera (Water Fleas)

  Body is usually round or oval shaped appearing to consists of two valves as in a clam; large eyes on the head. Collector/Filterer (< 3 mm). 

• Copepoda (Copepods)

  Body is cylindrical having a single eye; abdomen and some thoracic segments form a tail-like structure. Collector/Gatherer/Filterer (< 4 mm). 

• Ostracoda (Seed Shrimp)

  Body is covered by a shell giving the organism a bivalve-like appearance. Most of the animal is covered but some of its appendages may protrude. Collector/Gatherer/Filterer ( < 3 mm). 

Leeches and Worms

Phylum: Annelida

Body is soft, muscular and cylindrical in shape; body consists of many similar, round ring-like segments arranged in rows; numerous segments along the entire length, number often depends upon the order or family. Leeches have distinct suckers situated on the bottom of the body, one at the front and one at the rear. All invertebrates within this category have a high tolerance to insults. 

Flatworms

Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Turbellaria  

Soft-elongated body flattened from top to bottom; no individual segments; digestive track with only one opening which functions both as the mouth and anus; mouth usually on the bottom side positioned about one-fifth to the length of the body; sides of the body constricted towards the front forming a head that is often somewhat triangular shaped; two eyespots situated on top of the head gives the animal a cross-eyed appearance. Most families can withstand high nutrient and organic enrichment, but some are very sensitive to toxics. Crawler/burrow; collector/gatherer; VS-L (H)(S/F). 

Additional Information

• Phylum Platyhelminthes

  The simplest animals that are bilaterally symmetrical and triploblastic (composed of three fundamental cell layers) are the Platyhelminthes, the flatworms. 

• Class Turbellaria

  Flatworm feeding, habitat, movement, size, life cycle and other characteristics.

Snails

Class: Gastropoda

Operculate snails: Flat lid-like structure called an operculum that can seal the body of the snail inside the shell; the whorls of the shell bulge out distinctively to the sides (inflated); most have their opening on the right when the narrow end is held up; shells often extended into a spiral shape.  

Non-operculate snails: No operculum; the whorls of the shell do not distinctly bulge out to the sides; often the shells of most kinds are shaped like a low flat cone or coiled flat instead of being extended in a spiral shape. Typical size range for most snails is VS-L, which includes the shell.  

Note: North American streams, rivers, and lakes support the richest diversity of freshwater mollusks on the planet. Over 650 species of snails and 300 species of freshwater mussels have been described so far. 

Clams and Mussels

Order: Bivalvia

Two shells opposite of each other and strongly connected by a hinged ligament; the shell is thick and strong or thing and fragile in some kinds; growth rings on the shell are either far apart and are distinctly raised, or very close together and hardly raised at all; the foot usually consists of two tubular structures that can often be seen protruding from the shell; the body is soft tissue, often pinkish or gray in color. 

Clams

• Corbiculidae (Asian Clam)

  Shell is rounded; brown in color usually lighter than mussels; raised separated ridges along the top and sides of the shell. Clinger/burrower; Collector/filterer; VS-VL (M)(S/F). 

• Sphaeriidae (Pea Clam)

  Shell is very small and rounded; light colored; ridges spaced close together, not raised. Clinger/burrower; Collector/filterer; VS-M (M)(S/F). 

Mussels

• Unionidae (Mussel)

  Largest of the bivalves; shell usually dark in color, variable in shape but maybe somewhat oblong; has many indentations and ridges on the tops and sides of the shell. Clinger/burrower; Collector/filterer; VS-VL (L)(S/F). 

• Dreissenidae (Zebra Mussel)

  Gets their common name from the striped pattern of their shells, though not all shells bear this pattern; usually about fingernail size but can grow to a maximum length of nearly two inches; often they can be found in large colonies attached to a variety of objects. Clinger; Collector/filterer; VS-M (M)(S). 

Additional Information

• Mussel Life Cycle

  Learn about the mussel's life cycle.

• Freshwater Mussels

  Learn more about the kinds of mussels typically found in West Virginia.​

• Mollusks

  Learn more about Mollusks.

Freshwater Jellyfish

Class: Hydrozoa

Usually small and bell-shaped; tentacles of varying lengths protrude from the margins of the velum; is often translucent with a whitish or greenish tinge. Swimmer/clinger; Collector/predator; VS-S (U)(S). 

Photos 

Freshwater Sponge

Class: Spongilla

Sponges are delicate in structure, growing as encrusting or branching masses; usually appear greenish because of the algae that live on them. Freshwater sponges may attain a volume of more than 2,500 cubic centimeters (150 cubic inches). Spongilliflies can sometimes be found in the canals or the outside of sponges. Filterers; S-VL (U)(S/F). 

Additional Information

• Back Creek Freshwater Sponges

  Sponges are multicellular animals consisting of masses of cells embedded in a gelatinous matrix. The matrix is bound together by minute, spine-like structures of calcium or silica called spicules and spongy organice fibers called spongin. 

• Spongillaflies

  Sisyridae, commonly known as spongeflies or spongillaflies, are a family of winged insects in the order Neuroptera. There are approximately 60 living species described, and several extinct species identified from the fossil record.