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”
“Waterscorpions”
Family Overview
Nepidae
![Listen to the pronunciation of nepidae](/images/buttons/audio.png)
Waterscorpions
The mouthparts are slender, needle-like; the antennae are short and hidden from dorsal view; the end of the abdomen has a cylindrical breathing tube composed of 2 slender, non-retractile filaments.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: up to 7.5
0 = least tolerant, 10 = most tolerant
FEEDING HABITS
Piercer / Predator
MOVEMENT
Climber
Diagnostic Characters
Order
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/200313/images.b8db61d679215bc38064637c3eb1f7a7/200313-120x120-14046-16062-8972-10987.jpg)
Hemelytra
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/200313/images.b8db61d679215bc38064637c3eb1f7a7/200313-120x120-9977-11215-9459-10696.jpg)
Needle-like Beak
Family
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/200313/images.b8db61d679215bc38064637c3eb1f7a7/200313-120x120-10536-11835-9429-10728.jpg)
Antennae Shorter than Head
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/200313/images.b8db61d679215bc38064637c3eb1f7a7/200313-120x120-23118-30285-6316-13483.jpg)
Long Breathing Tube on Abdominal Apex
+ Expanded Character List
Order:
Adults: With or without wings. If wings present, forewings typically leathery or hard basally and translucent and flexible apically. Nymphs: With or without wing pads. Segmented legs present. Mandibles hidden within needle-like beak in adults and nymphs.
Family:
The mouthparts are slender, needle-like; the antennae are short and hidden from dorsal view; the end of the abdomen has a cylindrical breathing tube composed of 2 slender, non-retractile filaments.
Dorsal