Aquatic Entomology

Mr. Distasio

Field Environmental Science I

Aquatic EntomologyAquatic Entomology

• The study of benthic macroinvertebrates

• Importance:1. Important links in the aquatic food web

2. Biomonitoring – using living organisms as a gauge of environmental health

ClassificationClassification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Insecta

• Orders: (8)

Aquatic Insect OrdersAquatic Insect Orders Ephemeroptera - Mayflies

Odonata - Dragonflies, Damselflies

Plecoptera - Stoneflies

Hemiptera - Waterbugs

Megaloptera - Hellgrammites, Fishflies, Alderflies

Coleoptera - Water beetles

Trichoptera - Caddisflies

Diptera - Flies, Mosquitoes, Midges

Insect Metamorphosis

Complete Metamophosis

Incomplete Metamorphosis

Links in the Food ChainLinks in the Food Chain

• Predators: DragonfliesWater Bugs

DobsonfliesWater

beetles

• Pests: Black FliesMidges

MosquitoesHorseflies Deer Flies

Pollution Intolerant

Moderately Tolerant

Pollution Tolerant

Biomonitoring