order
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_coleoptera_adult_v_160.png)
Coleoptera
“Adult Beetles”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_coleoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Coleoptera
“Larval Beetles”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_diptera_larva_v_160.png)
Diptera
“True Flies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_ephemeroptera_larva_v_160.png)
Ephemeroptera
“Mayflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_hemiptera_adult_v_160.png)
Hemiptera
“True Bugs”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_lepidoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Lepidoptera
“Aquatic Caterpillars, Snout Moths”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_megaloptera_larva_v_160.png)
Megaloptera
“Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_odonata_larva_v_160.png)
Odonata
“Dragonflies and Damselflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_plecoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Plecoptera
“Stoneflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_trichoptera_larva_v_160.png)
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
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197679/images.e7333aa606e494ec8fbd01d1f451fce7/197679-120x120-2337-3138-2738-3538.jpg)
Eye Spots
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197679/images.e7333aa606e494ec8fbd01d1f451fce7/197679-120x120-8011-13380-775-6144.jpg)
Lateral Gills USUALLY Absent
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197680/images.f1d981f18c93297ebb0f3074a83e6ffb/197680-120x120-4715-6605-1954-3844.jpg)
USUALLY 4-5-Segmented Legs
Family
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197680/images.f1d981f18c93297ebb0f3074a83e6ffb/197680-120x120-17552-18962-3307-4718.jpg)
4 Posterior Hooks
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197680/images.f1d981f18c93297ebb0f3074a83e6ffb/197680-120x120-4715-6605-1954-3844.jpg)
5-Segmented Legs + Claws
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197679/images.e7333aa606e494ec8fbd01d1f451fce7/197679-120x120-8967-11957-1378-4368.jpg)
Lateral Gills
Genus
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197679/images.e7333aa606e494ec8fbd01d1f451fce7/197679-120x120-2148-4516-2395-4764.jpg)
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
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197679/images.e7333aa606e494ec8fbd01d1f451fce7/197679-654x240.jpg)
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197680/images.f1d981f18c93297ebb0f3074a83e6ffb/197680-667x240.jpg)
Dorsal
Ventral