Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
A Presentation Created by Creek Connections
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
What is a macroinvertebrate?
Includes:
-Insects in all life cycles
-Crustaceans
-Arachnids
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
What is Benthic?
Bottom-dwelling
Mayfly nymph Alderfly larva
Substrate
Aquatic Insects Life Cycles
Many insects start their lives in water
Juvenile Adult
Dragonfly
Metamorphosis
Aquatic Insects
Complete
Metamorphosis
-Egg
-Larva
-Pupa
-Adult
Aquatic Insects
Incomplete
Metamorphosis
-Eggs
-Nymph
-Adult
Explore More:
-http://www.kidfish.bc.ca/insects.htm
-Do the “Aquatic Insect Life Cycle” Activity from module
http://www.naturenorth.com/dragonfly/DOM/Page02_Life_Cycle.html
Aquatic Insect Anatomy
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/education/envirothon/aquatic_insect_ecology.html
Aquatic Insect Anatomy
Head
http://www.life.umd.edu/entm/shultzlab/snodgrass/Lecture1/indexq.htm
Aquatic Insect Anatomy
Thorax
http://ntugre.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html
Aquatic Insect Anatomy
Abdomen
Explore more:
-http://www.dddi.org/enttutorial/insect_anatomy/insectanatomy.html
-Do the “Aquatic Insect Parts and Pieces” Activity from module.
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/03/cweiss/bugs/glossary.html
Aquatic Insect Anatomy
Aeropneustic- "Air breathing"
-Snorkel Approach
Respiratory Horns
Water Scorpion
Mosquito Pupa
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/fasulo/vector/chapter_03.htm
Aquatic Insect Breathing
Aeropneustic- "air breathing"
-Scuba Approach
-Able to survive in low dissolved oxygen settings
-Low oxygen can be a sign of pollution
http://www.microcosmos.nl/bugs2/lbbouwabd.htm
Aquatic Insect Breathing
Hydroneustic-"Water Breathing"
-Breathing through Gills
-Need sufficient DO levels to survive
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent425/tutorial/aquatic.html
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/4-h/nrs/waterbugs/ex.html
Where Aquatic Insects Live
FACTORS to consider:
http://www.waterlandlife.org/e-newsletters/may_12/french_creek.html
http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/aoc/kalamazoo.html
Where Aquatic Insects Live
Habitat
-Place where organism lives that fulfills its need for food, water, shelter, temperature, reproduction, and space
Microhabitat
Explore More:
-Review "Microhabitat"
activities from module
Illustration Source: Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Where Aquatic Insects Live
Microhabitat- Riffle
Explore More:
Review the "Aquatic Macro Sampling" Activity from module
Illustration Source: Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Where Aquatic Insects Live
Microhabitat- Pool
http://tahoetowhitney.com/Sonora%20Pass%20to%20Tuolumne/kennedy-canyon-to-dorothy-lake-pass.html
http://www.troutnut.com/specimen/455
Illustration Source: Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Midge larva
Where Aquatic Insects Live
Microhabitat- Leaf Packs
Explore more:
Review the "Artificial Leaf Packs" activity
from the module
http://www.stroudcenter.org/about/index.shtm
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/wetlands.htm
Illustration Source: Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Cranefly larva
Where Aquatic Insects Live
Microhabitat-Plants
Macrophytes
Algae
Illustration Source: Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Where Aquatic Insects Live
Micro habitat - On the surface
What is the above insect called?
http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/okwild/misc/waterstrider.html
http://faunanet.gov.au/wos/factfile.cfm?Fact_ID=161
Illustration Source: Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Explore more:
• Do the “Life at the Surface” Activity from module.
Aquatic Insect Feeding
Detritus
Decomposers
Illustration Source: Stream Ecology: Structure and Function of Running Waters by J. David Allan, 1995
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter (CPOM)
Aquatic Insect Feeding
Fine Particulate Organic Matter
(FPOM)
Filtering Collectors
Gathering Collectors
Blackfly Larva
Illustrations Source (both): Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Brushlegged Mayfly Nymph
Aquatic Insect Feeding
Periphyton - algae on rocks
Water Penny
Case-building Caddisfly Larva
www.rollanet.org/~streams/ macroinv/caddiscase.jpg
Illustration Source: Stream Ecology: Structure and Function of Running Waters by J. David Allan, 1995.
Aquatic Insect Feeding
Giant Water Bug
Giant Water Bug
Dragonfly Larva
Illustrations Source (two above): Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Aquatic Insect Feeding
Aquatic Food Web
Aquatic Insect Movement
Cling to rocks
Fishfly Larva
Mayfly nymph http://www.wwf.org.nz/earthsaver/es_18.cfm
Stonefly Nymph
Aquatic Insect Movement
Burrow in soft, sandy, silty bottoms found in pools or under rocks.
Burrowing Mayfly Nymphs
Aquatic Insect Movement
Move around on top of, below, or between rocks.
Dragonfly Larva and Case-Building Caddisfly
http://www.thomasames.com/insects/other/
www.rollanet.org/~streams/ macroinv/caddiscase.jpg
Illustration Source: Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Aquatic Insect Movement
Climb on vegetation - macrophytes & algal mats.
Aquatic Insect Movement
Swim through the water - from bottom to top.
Illustrations Source: Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Diving Beetle
Aquatic Insect Movement
Float right below water surface.
Mosquito larva
Aquatic Insect Movement
Skate on the water surface.
Whirligig Beetle
Aquatic Insect Movement
Drift
· Escape pollution
· Escape lowering of water
· Find better food resources
· Escape predators
· Avoid overcrowding
· Find a better spot
Explore more:
• Do the “Create an Aquatic Macroinvertebrate” Activity from module.
River Continuum Concept
Describes and compares the gradual changes in a stream system from headwaters (start) to mid-order creek to mouth.
Shows how the insect feeding habits and movement differ as you go downstream from small stream to big creek or river.
River Continuum Concept
Cranefly Larva
Stonefly Nymph
Headwaters
River Continuum Concept
Mayfly nymph http://www.wwf.org.nz/earthsaver/es_18.cfm
Headwaters
River Continuum Concept
Mid-order
South Branch of French Creek
Photos source: Creek Connections
Illustration Source (all): Stream Ecology: Structure and Function of Running Waters by J. David Allan, 1995.
River Continuum Concept
Mid-order
Illustration Source: Stream Ecology: Structure and Function of Running Waters by J. David Allan, 1995.
River Continuum Concept
Mouth
Confluence of Kiski and Allegheny River
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/28680516
River Continuum Concept
Water Strider
Mouth
River Continuum Concept
Focuses on:
Food Conditions
Habitat Conditions
Explore More:
•http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/waterq/
Headwaters
Mid-Order
Mouth
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Woodcock Creek
Indian Run
http://www.stroudcenter.org/research/projects/Streamwatch/sites/east_branch/site18.shtm
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Chemical Testing vs. Biological Testing
Aquatic Insects are Indicator Organisms
They will show if there have been negative changes in water quality or habitat conditions.
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Pollution-Sensitive Group I Organisms
Illustrations sources: Monitor’s Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates, Save Our Streams – Izaak Walton League of America, 1994 and Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Facultative Group II Organisms
Illustrations sources: Monitor’s Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates, Save Our Streams – Izaak Walton League of America, 1994 and Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Pollution Tolerant
Group III Organisms
Illustrations sources: Monitor’s Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates, Save Our Streams – Izaak Walton League of America, 1994 and Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Biodiversity= lots of different types of life
http://www.fly-fishing-discounters.com/brook-trout.html
http://expertprojectaces.wikispaces.com/Macroinvertebrate+Introduction
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Biodiversity= Healthy Stream
This is Good biodiversity!
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Biodiversity= Healthy Stream
This is Poor biodiversity.
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Biodiversity= Healthy Stream
Is the diversity of this stream good or poor?
Insects Reveal Stream Health
This is still Poor biodiversity.
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Insects Reveal Stream Health
Collecting Aquatic Insects
Qualitative Sampling Quantitative Sampling
Photos source: Creek Connections
Explore more:
- EPA: Match the Hatch slide show movie - http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/kids/MOVIE.HTM
- http://www.kidfish.bc.ca/insects.htm
- Do the “Aquatic Insect Life Cycle” Activity from module.
Collecting Aquatic Insects
· Less scientific approach.
· Less strict methods.
· More concerned with observations
of all aquatic organisms.
· What kinds of life is there instead
of how much is there.
· Provide overall, general data.
Qualitative Sampling
Photo source: Creek Connections
Collecting Aquatic Insects
· Measure data, not just observe.
· Record the amount and type of aquatic life present.
· Specific and repeatable scientific methods.
· Better for comparing data and repeating research in the future or at a different site.
Quantitative Sampling
Photo source: Creek Connections
Collecting Aquatic Insects
Equipment
D-frame net
Kick net
Surber Sampler
Drift net Artificial Substrate Sampler
Illustrations Source (all): Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Collecting Aquatic Insects
Equipment / Method
Used to conduct quantitative studies and for filling out pollution tolerance indexes.
Illustrations Source (above): Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Identifying Aquatic Insects
Dichotomous key
Source of key:
Save our Streams Program of Izaak Walton League of America http://www.iwla.org/sos/
Photos source: Creek Connections
Illustrations Source (above): Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty, 1998
Enjoying Aquatic Insects
Photos source: Creek Connections