Algal-feeder
Guides
Hedriodiscus truquii
Hedriodiscus truquii is a soldier fly (family Stratiomyidae) whose larval ecology has been studied in thermal spring habitats. The species was described by Bellardi in 1859 and occurs in North and Central America. A detailed 4-year ecological study documented its role as a dominant herbivore in two thermal spring communities in Washington State, where larvae feed on algae and serve as a significant energy conduit in these extreme ecosystems. Larvae are aquatic and subject to heavy predation pressure, particularly from spiders on newly emerged adults.
Scatella picea
shore fly
Scatella picea is a species of shore fly in the family Ephydridae, first described by Walker in 1849 as Ephydra picea. The species is notable for its larval feeding ecology, which has been experimentally studied. Larvae feed on algae and show differential utilization efficiency across algal taxa, with notably poor ability to use blue-green algae compared to some coexisting ephydrid species.
Sphaerius
Sphaerius is a genus of minute beetles in the family Sphaeriusidae, comprising 18 extant species. These beetles are among the smallest in Coleoptera, measuring 0.5–1.2 mm in length. They inhabit damp environments near water bodies across all continents except Antarctica. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with its family name changing from Sphaeriidae to Microsporidae and finally to Sphaeriusidae.