Tipulidae

1
Tipulidae crane flies
-posterior portion of head incompletely
schlerotized and retracted into thorax.
-usually found in lotic habitats herbivores,
omnivores, carnivores present
2
Blephariceridae net-winged midges
-distinctive flattened body and 7 apparent body
segments
-usually found in fast streams where thely feed
on diatoms and other algae
3
Deuterophlebiidae mountain midges
-usually lt6mm and easily recognized by 7 pairs of
stout, ventrolateral prolegs
-usually found in rapid streams in the west on
smooth rocks at or near the surface
4
Culicidae mosquitoes
-easily recognized by 1) swollen thoracic area 2)
caudal siphon 3) flip-flop swimming motion
-found in lentic or semilotic habitats. Never
found in moving water. Feed mostly on detritus
and microorganisms. Adult males feed on plant
nectar. Females require blood.
5
Dixidae dixid midges
-recognized by pairs of prolegs on first one or
two abdominal segments.
-found at or just below water suface in lentic
habitats. Lie in a characteristic U-shape, often
resting on vegetation. Feed on detritus and
microorganisms in surface film
6
Chaoboridae phantom midges
-nearly transparent except for hydrostatic organ.
Have modified antennae for capturing
invertebrate prey.
-occur in a wide variety of lentic habitats.
ONLY insects frequently found in limnetic areas
of lakes. 4-5th instars undergo diel vertical
migration to feed on zooplankton at night
7
Psychodidae moth flies
-generally small size lt6mm and secondary
annulations on thoracic and abdominal segments
-Occur among vegetation and debris in shallow
lentic habitats. Frequently associated with
organically polluted water (e.g. even in sink and
floor drains!).
8
Thaumaleidae solitary midges
-very rare. Have a single broad anterior and
posterior proleg instead of paired prolegs.
-Larvae inhabit vertical surfaces of rocks in
cold, shady, mountain streams where water film
does not entirely cover their bodies. Feed mostly
on diatoms.
9
Chironomidae midges
-exhibit anterior and posterior pairs of prolegs,
but can be quite diverse in form and size.
-often dominant insect in littoral areas of lakes
and ponds. Larvae are very important in aquatic
food webs, serving as food for inverts and fish.
Feeding habits vary widely with herbivores,
omnivores and carnivores represented.
10
Ceratopogonidae biting midges
-usually small, elongate and without prolegs
-occur in a wide variety of aquatic habitats.
Most larvae are able swimmers and move about with
a serpentine swimming motion. Feedng ecology is
poorly known.
11
Simulidae black flies
-uniquely shaped having a swollen abdomen that
they attach to substrate with a caudal sucker.
Relatively large head and single ventral proleg
on the thorax.
-found primarily in lotic habitats. Most larvae
are filter feeders, using labral fans to filter
diatoms and other organic material. Unlike other
Nematocera, Simulidae under 6-7 instars
12
Ptychopteridae phantom crane flies
-easily recognized by their elongate caudal
respiratory siphon and pairs of prolegs on the
first 3 abdominal segments
-live in very shallow water along margins of
lakes and streams. Feed on detritus and
microorganisms.
13
Tabanidae deer fly or horse flies
-recognized by absence of prolegs and the
presence of a girdle of 6 or more pseudopods on
most abdominal segments
-mostly semiaquatic, but some spp are found in
shallow water along lake and stream margins.
Larvae are predators on other inverts. Adult
females require blood.
14
Sciomyzidae marsh flies
-generally have a wrinkled appearance with
pseudopods on abdomen.
-Larvae are found in lentic habitats and margins
of streams where they feed exclusively on snails,
slugs, or fingernail clams. Used as biological
control of liver flukes and schistosomes.
15
Collembola springtails