Types of Aquatic Insects in Washington
The state of Washington has a number of aquatic insects. The majority of these insects spend their existence on or under the water and serve as the major food source for fish in all types of water bodies, including ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. The insects are placed in different categories according to general characteristics and developmental stages.
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Mayfly Species of Aquatic Insects in Washington
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The mayfly, or ephemeroptera, has two distinct life cycle stages: larva, or nymph, and adult. Mayfly larva have two to three tails projecting from the end of their abdomens. Each leg ends with one claw and gills can be located on both sides of the abdomen. Adults also have two or three long tails, but they have developed wings, which are held vertically. The front wings are large and triangular while the hind wings are significantly smaller or absent. The general body type is slender and delicate.
Caddisfly Species of Aquatic Insects in Washington
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The caddisfly, or trichoptera, has three distinct developmental stages: larva, pupa and adult. Larva can sometimes be found in cases made of sand, gravel or plant material. Larva may possess gills but they are not confined to a certain body section. The pupa has legs and antenna but they are not fused to the body. The front of the head has antennae, which may be longer than the body, and curved mandibles, which project forward. The adult has wings that are covered with fine hairs and held in a tentlike position when the caddisfly is at rest. The antennae remain longer than the body much like in the pupa stage.
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Stonefly Species of Aquatic Insects in Washington
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The stonefly, or plecoptera, has two distinct life stages: the larva, or nymph, stage and the adult stage. Larva have two claws at the end of each of the six legs. Gills are located on the thorax, but they are found on very few stonefly species. The larva has two stout tails that will vary in length depending on the species. The adult stonefly has two tails and two long antennae. Four wings measuring equally in length are held flat and folded over the abdomen of the stonefly while they are at rest.
True Fly Species of Aquatic Insects in Washington
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The true fly, or midge, is categorized in the diptera or chironomidae class. This type of aquatic insect begins life as a larva with minute antennae and a lack of tail and legs. The segmented tube body closely resembles a small earthworm. The larva develops into a pupa with a head, thorax and wind pads that are clumped together at the front of the body. Filamentous gill fibers may be found at the top of the thorax in some species. Adults have antenna measuring less than three times the width of the head in length and two pairs of wings. The first pair is fully developed while the second pair resembles short stalks called haleteres.
Waterbug Species of Aquatic Insects in Washington
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The heteroptera (nepomorpha), or waterbug, category of aquatic insects in Washington include the waterboatman (corixidae) and blackswimmer (notonectidae). Both of these species feature short forelegs and hind legs that possess swimming hairs on oarlike hind legs. Both species are characterized by their flattened body shape and are the common food source for trouts located in still waters, such as ponds and lakes. The size of the waterbug ranges between 3 mm and 16 mm in length.
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