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Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Our Waters

Phyla Annelida, Mollusca and Arthropoda

PHYLUM Annelida

Class Oligochaeta
Worms
Class Hirudinea
Leeches
Worms Erpobdella punctata (Mark Siddall's Leech Lab)

PHYLUM Mollusca

Class Bivalvia
Mussels
Class Gastropoda
Pouch Snail

Mussels (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA)

Gastropoda (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA)

PHYLUM Arthopoda

CLASS Malacostraca
Order Decapoda (Crayfish) Order Amphipoda Order Isopoda

Crayfish (Ohio DNR)

Amphipod (New York DEC)

Isopod (New York DEC)


CLASS Insecta
Order Plecoptera (Stonefly) Order Trichoptera (Caddisfly) Order Ephemeroptera (Mayfly)

Stonefly  (Ohio DNR)

Caddisfly (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA)

Mayfly (Ohio DNR)

Order Megaloptera (Alderflies)

Order Megaloptera (Dobsonfly)

 

Alderfly (McDonald et al. 1990)
Dobsonfly or Hellgrammite (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA)


CLASS Insecta (continued)
Order Coleoptera (Water Penny Beetle) Order Coleoptera (Riffle Beetles) Order Odonata (Damselfly) Order Odonata (Dragonfly)

Water Penny Beetle (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA)

Riffle Beetles - larvae and adults (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA)

Damselfly (Ohio DNR) Dragonfly (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA)

Class Insecta (continued)
Order Diptera
Order Diptera
Order Diptera
Order Diptera
Family Simuliidae (Black Fly) Family Tipulidae
(Crane Fly)
Family Chironomidae (Midge Fly)
Family Athericidae (Snipe Fly)

Blackfly (New York DEC)

Cranefly (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA) Midges (photo by Wayne Davis USEPA)
Snipefly (Illinois Ecowatch Network)

For more information, see our links on:

For more information on benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy at the Order and Family levels: Exit EPA - Disclaimer

Photo Credits:Exit EPA - Disclaimer Ohio DNR , Iowa State University Entomology Department Image Gallery ,Illinois Ecowatch Network , the McKenzie Page , the Hirudinea page , New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Stream Biomonitoring Unit

Biological Indicators | Aquatic Biodiversity | Statistical Primer


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