order
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Coleoptera
“Adult Beetles”
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Coleoptera
“Larval Beetles”
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Diptera
“True Flies”
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Ephemeroptera
“Mayflies”
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Hemiptera
“True Bugs”
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Lepidoptera
“Aquatic Caterpillars, Snout Moths”
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Megaloptera
“Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies”
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Odonata
“Dragonflies and Damselflies”
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Plecoptera
“Stoneflies”
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Trichoptera
“Caddisflies”
family
Gyrinidae
“Whirligig Beetle Larvae”
Genus Overview
14 species in North America. Larvae are found in gravel along larger rivers generally near the shore.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 5.5 and higher
Midwest: 3.7 and higher
Mid-Atlantic: 4 and higher
0 = least tolerant, 10 = most tolerant
FEEDING HABITS
Engulfer / Predator
MOVEMENT
Climber
Swimmer
Swimmer
DISTRIBUTION
Southeast
HABITAT
Lentic-littoral
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-depositional
Diagnostic Characters
Order
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Eye Spots
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Lateral Gills USUALLY Absent
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USUALLY 4-5-Segmented Legs
Family
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4 Posterior Hooks
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5-Segmented Legs + Claws
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Lateral Gills
Genus
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Head with collar
+ Expanded Character List
Order:
Larvae: Usually without lateral abdominal gills. If gills present, then 4 hooks clustered on segment 10. Thoracic legs each usually with 4 or 5 segments and with 1 or 2 claws; if without legs, head distinctly sclerotized and posterior body (thorax and abdomen) simple, without gills, hair brushes, suckers, or breathing tube. Eye spots usually present, but compound eyes absent.
Family:
Legs 5-segmented plus 2 tarsal claws. Abdominal segments 1–9 with lateral gills. Abdominal segment 10 (posterior-most segment) with 4 stout hooks.
Genus:
Head with a distinct collar posteriorly, 4 claws at posterior end, lateral filaments along abdomen
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Dorsal
Ventral