Algae-feeder
Guides
Hesperocorixa vulgaris
water boatman
Hesperocorixa vulgaris is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Hungerford in 1925. This aquatic true bug is found in North America and is most active during spring through autumn. It feeds primarily on algae, which it sometimes stirs up from waterbeds. When threatened, it can deliver a painful bite.
Oxyethira
Oxyethira is a genus of microcaddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) comprising over 200 described species worldwide. The genus exhibits high species diversity with new species continuing to be described, particularly from under-sampled regions. Larvae are aquatic and construct distinctive silk cases in their final instar.
Peltodytes festivus
Peltodytes festivus is a species of crawling water beetle in the family Haliplidae. It occurs in North America. Members of this family are semi-aquatic, inhabiting the margins of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams where they feed on algae and detritus. The genus Peltodytes is distinguished from other haliplid genera by morphological features of the elytra and hind legs.
Petrophila bifascialis
two-banded petrophila moth
Petrophila bifascialis is a small crambid moth found across eastern and central North America. Adults are active from late spring through early autumn. The species is notable for its aquatic larval stage, which feeds on algae and diatoms in freshwater habitats. Adults have a wingspan of 11–24 mm and display two distinct dark bands across the forewings.
Petrophila confusalis
confusing petrophila moth
Petrophila confusalis is a semi-aquatic moth in the family Crambidae, commonly known as the confusing petrophila moth. Adults are small, with forewing lengths of 5–11 mm, and are active from April to September. The species is notable for its specialized aquatic larval stage, during which caterpillars feed on algae and diatoms in fast-moving streams. The moth serves as a host for the parasitic aquatic wasp Tanychela pilosa and has been observed in large grazing zones that contribute to epilithic spatial patchiness. In 2021, it was listed on the Nevada Division of Natural Heritage watch list due to population decline.
Petrophila hodgesi
Ozark Petrophila
Petrophila hodgesi is a moth species in the family Crambidae, first described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1972. It belongs to the subfamily Acentropinae, a group commonly known as aquatic crambid snout moths due to their association with freshwater habitats. The species is endemic to the Ozark region of the south-central United States, with confirmed records from Arkansas and Oklahoma. The specific epithet honors Ronald W. Hodges, a prominent American lepidopterist who contributed significantly to the classification of North American microlepidoptera.
Petrophila jaliscalis
Jalisco Petrophila
Petrophila jaliscalis is a small aquatic moth in the family Crambidae, described by Schaus in 1906. The species has a broad North American distribution spanning from Alberta, Canada through the western United States to Mexico. Adults are active nearly year-round and have forewings measuring 7–11 mm. The larvae are aquatic and feed on algae.
Pseudochironomus
nonbiting midge
Pseudochironomus is a genus of nonbiting midges in the family Chironomidae, containing more than 20 described species distributed across the Americas and Europe. The genus belongs to the tribe Pseudochironomini within subfamily Chironominae. Larvae are aquatic and have been studied for their growth responses to diet quality and thermal conditions.
Scatella stagnalis
shore fly
Scatella stagnalis is a small shore fly in the family Ephydridae. It has been documented in both natural coastal habitats and artificial greenhouse environments, where it develops in moist, algae-rich substrates. The species is known as a pest in greenhouse agriculture, particularly in rockwool cultivation systems. Its life cycle has been studied under controlled temperature conditions, with development from egg to adult taking 10–16 days depending on temperature.
Tetrix subulata
Slender Ground-hopper, Slender Groundhopper, Awl-shaped Pygmy Grasshopper, Slender Grouse Locust
Tetrix subulata is a small groundhopper (family Tetrigidae) with a Holarctic distribution spanning the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. The species exhibits striking polymorphism in both coloration and wing development, with long-winged (macropterous) and short-winged (brachypterous) morphs coexisting in populations. It is strongly associated with moist habitats, particularly wet meadows, riverbanks, and mudflats, where it feeds primarily on algae and mosses. The species has been extensively studied for its wing dimorphism, reproductive interference with congeners, and life-history trade-offs between flight capability and reproduction.
Usingeriessa brunnildalis
Usingeriessa brunnildalis is a small crambid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1906. It is known from California and Texas in the southwestern United States. The species has a distinctive wing pattern with dark brown forewings that are lighter in the median area and at the anal angle, contrasting with gray hindwings. The larval stage is aquatic, inhabiting rocks in streams where it feeds on algae.