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Stroud Macro Key Complete

The document is an identification guide for freshwater macroinvertebrates, detailing major characteristics and classifications of various aquatic larvae. It includes a glossary of terms and visual aids to assist in identifying different groups such as crustaceans, insects, and worms. The guide is structured to help users navigate through the identification process based on physical traits and features.

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rabdorabii
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27 views6 pages

Stroud Macro Key Complete

The document is an identification guide for freshwater macroinvertebrates, detailing major characteristics and classifications of various aquatic larvae. It includes a glossary of terms and visual aids to assist in identifying different groups such as crustaceans, insects, and worms. The guide is structured to help users navigate through the identification process based on physical traits and features.

Uploaded by

rabdorabii
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Identification Guide to

Freshwater Macroinvertebrates

970 Spencer Road


Avondale, Pennsylvania 19311

© Stroud Water Research Center


Macroinvertebrate images prepared for
Stroud Water Research Center by Mr. Kevin Gill
Major Characteristics of Aquatic Larvae
GLOSSARY
Abdomen: posterior body Thorax Head Jointed legs
segment of insect

Filaments: hair‐like structures

Jointed leg: true legs, legs


capable of bending

Lateral: at the side

Portable case: structure made


of leaves, twigs, or sand that
Abdomen Abdominal gills Wing pads
some caddisfly larvae carry
with them

Posterior: tail end of the body

Prolegs: short, stumpy leg‐like


Tail filaments
structures (not jointed)

Protrusion: part of the body


that sticks out

Segment: a section of body

Ventral: underside

Wing pads: developing wings, Prolegs


often W in shape
Identification Guide to Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
Jointed legs No jointed legs

10 legs or more 8 legs 6 jointed legs Worm‐like Body enclosed in


Go to Page 3 (no shell) hard shell

AMPHIPODA
MOLLUSCA – snail, clam
scud
ARACHNIDA
water mite
Non‐segmented Segmented
flat‐worm worms

ISOPODA Head and/or fleshy


sowbug protrusions
Go to Page 2

ANNELIDAE HIRUDINEA
aquatic worm leech
DECAPODA
crayfish PLATYHELMINTHES
CRUSTACEANS planaria or flat worm
Page 2 ‐ Guide to Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
Worm‐like with distinct head or fleshy protrusion
DIPTERA – true flies

Head small, often hidden from view Distinct head

8 pairs of prolegs; posterior with 2 Fleshy protrusions Head capsule retractile, first 7 abdominal
pointed protrusions longer than prolegs at posterior end segments ringed by fleshy pseudopods

ATHERICIDAE – water snipe flies TIPULIDAE – crane flies TABANIIDAE – horse flies

One end wider than the other Approximate size range


Both ends similar width
Minimum Maximum

SIMULIIDAE – black flies CHIRONOMIDAE – midges


Page 3 ‐ Guide to Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
Six jointed legs

Portable case No portable case


(made of sand, gravel,
or plant material)
No observable wings or wing pads Wing pads or wings
present

Observable hooks at end of body No observable hooks at end of body


Go to Page 4

Without lateral filaments

With lateral filaments.


Branched gills on With lateral Body ends in single, With fleshy Without
No branched gills underside of abdomen filaments long filament prolegs prolegs

TRICHOPTERA MEGALOPTERA LEPIDOPTERA COLEOPTERA


caddisflies dobsonflies, fishflies, alderfiles aquatic moths beetles
Page 4 ‐ Guide to Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
Wing pads or wings present

With tail filaments Without tail filaments

Wing pads Wings

Two tail filaments, Two or three tail Three flat tail Hard wing Wings
without filaments, with filaments, without Large mouth, coverings with leathery, tips
abdominal gills abdominal gills abdominal gills hinged centerline overlapping

PLECOPTERA EPHEMEROPTERA ODONATA ODONATA COLEOPTERA HEMIPTERA


stoneflies mayflies damselflies dragonflies adult beetles true bugs

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