Aquatic-insect
Guides
Limnephilus nogus
northern caddisfly
Limnephilus nogus is a species of caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae, described by Ross in 1944. It is distributed across North America, particularly in the Nearctic region. As a member of the Limnephilidae, it is associated with aquatic environments during its larval stage.
Limnephilus ornatus
Ornate Northern Caddisfly
Limnephilus ornatus is a species of northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae, described by Banks in 1897. It is found in North America across the Nearctic region, with some records indicating possible presence in the Palaearctic. Like other members of the genus Limnephilus, this species is associated with freshwater habitats where larvae construct protective cases from plant material.
Limnephilus spinatus
northern caddisfly
Limnephilus spinatus is a species of northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae, described by Banks in 1914. It is known from the Nearctic region, specifically North America. Like other members of the genus Limnephilus, it likely inhabits freshwater aquatic environments during its larval stage.
Limnephilus submonilifer
northern caddisfly
Limnephilus submonilifer is a species of caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae, described by Francis Walker in 1852. It belongs to a large genus of northern caddisflies that are primarily associated with lentic (still water) habitats. The species is recorded from the Nearctic region with documented occurrences in the northeastern United States, including Vermont. Larvae construct portable cases using plant material and sand grains.
Limnocoris
Limnocoris is a genus of creeping water bugs in the family Naucoridae, comprising over 70 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropics. The genus was established by Stål in 1860 and represents the type genus of the subfamily Limnocorinae. Recent taxonomic revisions have significantly revised species boundaries, describing numerous new species and resolving synonymies across North America, the tropical Andes, and the Amazon/Guiana Shield regions. Species exhibit wing polymorphism and are distinguished by detailed morphological characters of the genitalia and terminalia.
Limnocoris moapensis
moapa warm springs naucorid, Warm Springs Naucorid
Limnocoris moapensis is a rare species of creeping water bug in the family Naucoridae. It is endemic to warm spring habitats in the Moapa Valley of Nevada, USA. The species is known from very few observations and is considered vulnerable due to its restricted range and dependence on thermal spring ecosystems. It belongs to the subfamily Limnocorinae, a group specialized for life in aquatic environments.
Limnohydrobius tumidus
Limnohydrobius tumidus is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1855. It is a small aquatic beetle distributed across the eastern and central United States. The species belongs to the tribe Hydrobiusini, which includes aquatic beetles associated with freshwater habitats. Records indicate it has been collected from Maine to Florida and west to Illinois and Indiana.
Limnophyes fumosus
Limnophyes fumosus is a species of non-biting midge in the family Chironomidae, subfamily Orthocladiinae. Originally described as Camptocladius fumosus by Johannsen in 1905, it was later transferred to the genus Limnophyes. The genus Limnophyes comprises small chironomids commonly associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats.
Liodessus
Liodessus is a genus of small diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, tribe Bidessini. Species occur across the Americas from North America through the Andes to southern South America, with notable diversity in high-altitude wetlands and páramo ecosystems. Many species inhabit shallow, exposed pools and temporary water bodies, showing phenotypic plasticity in body form correlated with habitat permanence. The genus contains numerous species, with several new species described from the high Andes of Peru and Colombia in recent years. Taxonomic resolution relies heavily on male genital morphology.
diving-beetleaquatic-insecthigh-altitudepáramoAndesphenotypic-plasticityBidessiniHydroporinaeDytiscidaeColeopterawetlandtemporary-poolpeatlandsubantarctictaxonomymale-genitaliaCOI-barcodecryptic-speciesincipient-speciationhybridizationgeometric-morphometricsenvironmental-sentineldrought-indicatorSouth-AmericaNorth-AmericaFijiNavarino-IslandMagallanesPeruColombiaChileArgentinaBoliviaBogotáJunínCuscoHuánucoCundinamarcaSumapazPunasteppepeat-bogshallow-poolpuddlealtitude-3400-4900mL.-affinis-complexL.-bogotensis-complexL.-chilensisL.-affinisL.-obscurellusL.-noviaffinisL.-saratogaeL.-picinusL.-santarositaL.-alpinusL.-hauthiL.-rhigosL.-thespesiosGuignot-1939ZimmermannSharpLeConteSaySteinheilRégimbartBiströmMillerBalkeFranciscoloSanfilippoPederzaniNilssonYoungClarkHatchMannerheimCaseyAubéBalfour-BrowneBrinckPeschetSolierWhiteZootaxaZooKeysInsect-Systematics-&-EvolutionAnales-del-Instituto-de-la-PatagoniaPLoS-ONEGBIFiNaturalistCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyBOLDBarcode-of-Life-Data-SystemCOImitochondrial-DNAphylogeographypopulation-structurerange-expansionlineagegenetic-structuresubspecieslectotypeneotypesynonymynew-speciesnew-subspeciesrevisionmorphometricsallometrybody-sizebody-shapeelytrapronotumstriaecolorationpunctationhabitusoccipital-linegenital-morphologyaedeagusparamerediagnosisidentification-keytype-localitytype-specimenetymologybionomicsnatural-historygeographic-distributiondistribution-mapNearcticNeotropicalPatagoniaCape-Horn-Biosphere-Reservedroughtclimate-changeenvironmental-changesentinel-speciesplasticityadaptationphenotypic-variationhydrological-landscapewater-permanencepoolbogAltiplanoAndeanhigh-elevationmontanealpineaquaticfreshwaterlenticloticinsectbeetleAdephagaLiodessusLiodessus flavicollis
Liodessus flavicollis is a species of predaceous diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) described by LeConte in 1855. The species belongs to the tribe Bidessini within the subfamily Hydroporinae, a group of small diving beetles commonly found in freshwater habitats. The specific epithet flavicollis refers to the yellowish coloration of the pronotum. The genus Liodessus contains numerous small-bodied species that are often challenging to distinguish without detailed examination.
Lipogomphus brevis
velvet water bug
Lipogomphus brevis is a species of velvet water bug in the family Hebridae. It belongs to the infraorder Dipsocoromorpha, a group of small predatory true bugs often associated with moist or aquatic habitats. The species was described by Champion in 1898 and is known from Central America and North America. Like other members of Hebridae, it is presumed to inhabit the surface film of quiet waters.
Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus
Rice Water Weevil
Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, the rice water weevil, is a major agricultural pest of rice and the most destructive invertebrate pest of California rice. Native to the southeastern United States, it has spread invasively to Asia since 1976 and Europe since 2004, with populations establishing in California for over 50 years. The species exhibits a unique reproductive strategy: most populations reproduce sexually, but a small percentage in the native range reproduces by triploid parthenogenesis, facilitating rapid range expansion. Adults feed on rice leaves and sheaths, while aquatic larvae feed on roots, causing yield losses up to 25-30% in severe infestations.
Listronotus scapularis
Listronotus scapularis is a species of underwater weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America. The species is provisionally accepted in taxonomic databases and is distinguished from other Listronotus species by its aquatic or semi-aquatic habits.
Listronotus sparsus
Listronotus sparsus is an underwater weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Say in 1832. It is one of relatively few weevil species adapted to aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Like other members of the genus Listronotus, it likely has associations with aquatic vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lype
net tube caddisfly
Lype is a genus of net tube caddisflies in the family Psychomyiidae, containing more than 20 described species. Adults are small to medium-sized caddisflies with reduced mouthparts. Larvae construct fixed, silken retreat nets on submerged surfaces in flowing water. The genus has been studied for female identification and reproductive biology in Denmark.
Lysathia
Lysathia is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Alticini) containing approximately 10 described species distributed in North America and the Neotropics. Several species have been investigated or deployed as biological control agents for invasive aquatic plants, including Ludwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala and Myriophyllum aquaticum. The genus exhibits morphological variation that has complicated taxonomic resolution, with integrative approaches combining genetics and morphology used to clarify species boundaries.
Maccaffertium
flatheaded mayflies
Maccaffertium is a genus of mayflies in the family Heptageniidae, commonly known as flatheaded mayflies. The genus was established by Bednarik in 1979 and contains approximately 19–20 described species. Like other members of Heptageniidae, these mayflies are characterized by their flattened, streamlined bodies adapted for life in flowing water. The genus is found in North America, with species distributed across various freshwater habitats.
Maccaffertium exiguum
flatheaded mayfly
Maccaffertium exiguum is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. This aquatic insect is native to North America, with a documented range extending across southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. Like other members of the genus, it develops through aquatic nymphal stages in freshwater habitats before emerging as a winged adult.
Maccaffertium luteum
Maccaffertium luteum is a species of flat-headed mayfly in the family Heptageniidae, originally described by Clemens in 1913. The genus Maccaffertium was historically treated as a subgenus of Stenonema but was elevated to full generic status based on morphological and phylogenetic studies. Like other members of its family, this species exhibits the characteristic subimago stage—a sexually immature winged form unique to mayflies that requires one final molt to reach reproductive adulthood.
Maccaffertium mediopunctatum
flat-headed mayfly
Maccaffertium mediopunctatum is a species of flat-headed mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. It occurs in Southeastern Canada and the Eastern United States. The species has two recognized subspecies: M. m. arwini and M. m. mediopunctatum. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the unique mayfly developmental trait of having a fully winged subadult stage (subimago) that requires one additional molt to reach sexual maturity.
Maccaffertium mediopunctatum arwini
A subspecies of mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the characteristic subimago stage—fully winged but sexually immature—unique among insects. Adults are short-lived, emerging from aquatic habitats to mate. The subspecific epithet honors an individual, following the pattern of other Maccaffertium subspecies.
Maccaffertium meririvulanum
fresh flat-headed mayfly
Maccaffertium meririvulanum is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae, characterized by its distinctive flattened head morphology typical of this group. The species is known from North America, where it inhabits freshwater lotic environments. As with other members of the genus, it undergoes the unique mayfly developmental pattern involving a winged subadult (subimago) stage that molts once more to reach sexual maturity.
Maccaffertium mexicanum
flatheaded mayfly
A flatheaded mayfly species in the family Heptageniidae. Adults are attracted to light sources near aquatic habitats. The species possesses the unique mayfly trait of developing fully functional wings during the subimago (sub-adult) stage, requiring one additional molt to reach sexual maturity. Two subspecies are recognized: M. m. integrum and M. m. mexicanum.
Maccaffertium mexicanum integrum
Maccaffertium mexicanum integrum is a subspecies of mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. Like other members of its order, it undergoes a unique developmental process involving a winged subadult stage (subimago) that molts once more before reaching sexual maturity. The subspecies has been documented in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with observations from the Mississippi River lowlands of southeastern Missouri.
Maccaffertium modestum
flatheaded mayfly
Maccaffertium modestum is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. It occurs in North America, specifically in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. The species exhibits the characteristic subimago stage typical of mayflies, where fully functional wings develop before the final molt to adulthood.
Maccaffertium pudicum
flatheaded mayfly
Maccaffertium pudicum is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. It is found in North America. The species exhibits the characteristic subimago stage typical of mayflies, where fully functional wings develop before the final molt to adulthood.
Maccaffertium smithae
Maccaffertium smithae is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae, described by Traver in 1937. As a member of the Heptageniidae family, it possesses the characteristic flattened head shape typical of this group. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in the available literature.
Maccaffertium terminatum
flatheaded mayfly
Maccaffertium terminatum is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. It is widely distributed across Canada and the Nearctic region. The species possesses the characteristic subimago stage typical of mayflies, where sexually immature adults with opaque, milky-white wings emerge from water before undergoing a final molt to the reproductive adult stage. Two subspecies are recognized: M. t. terminatum and M. t. placitum.
Macronematinae
net-spinning caddisflies
Macronematinae is a subfamily of net-spinning caddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) established by Ulmer in 1905. Larvae construct silk webs to capture prey drifting in flowing water. The subfamily includes genera such as Macronema, Macrostemum, Leptonema, Leptopsyche, and the Neotropical endemic Centromacronema. Members occupy diverse freshwater habitats across multiple continents.
Macronychus
riffle beetles
Macronychus is a genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae, comprising approximately 11 described species. Members of this genus inhabit flowing water environments, particularly riffle zones of streams. The genus was established by Müller in 1806 and includes species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Macropelopiini
Macropelopiini is a tribe of non-biting midges within the subfamily Tanypodinae of family Chironomidae. Members are characterized by distinctive morphological features that distinguish them from related tribes, including specific arrangements of tergal setation in adults and thoracic horn aeropyles in pupae. The tribe includes genera such as Macropelopia, Apsectrotanypus, Psectrotanypus, and the more recently described Bilyjomyia and Chaudhuriomyia. Macropelopiini species have been documented across multiple continents including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Macrostemum carolina
Macrostemum carolina is a net-spinning caddisfly in the family Hydropsychidae. Larvae construct silken catchnets within protective retreats to filter food from flowing water. Multiple retreat-building phenotypes exist within this species, including retreats with water entrance holes at the end of silken tubes, with 180° silken backstops, or flush with the retreat top. Molecular genetic analysis confirms these phenotypes represent a single panmictic population rather than cryptic species.
Macrostemum zebratum
Zebra Caddisfly
Macrostemum zebratum, commonly known as the zebra caddisfly, is a species of netspinning caddisfly in the family Hydropsychidae. It is a medium to large caddisfly recognized by its distinctive patterned wings. As a member of the Hydropsychidae, it constructs silk capture nets in flowing water to filter food particles.
Malirekus hastatus
Brook Springfly
Malirekus hastatus, commonly known as the brook springfly, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlodidae. First described by Banks in 1920 under the name Isogenus hastatus, this species is native to eastern North America. It belongs to the order Plecoptera, a group of aquatic insects commonly known as stoneflies or springflies.
Malirekus iroquois
Iroquois Springfly
Malirekus iroquois is a species of springfly in the family Perlodidae, described by Stark and Szczytko in 1988. It belongs to the order Plecoptera, an ancient group of aquatic insects commonly known as stoneflies or springflies. The species is known from a limited number of observations and has a documented distribution in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Marilia
Marilia is a genus of caddisflies in the family Odontoceridae, order Trichoptera. Caddisflies in this family are aquatic insects whose larvae construct protective cases from sand grains and small particles. The genus was established by Mueller in 1880 and is distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with records from Colombia and other parts of South America.
Marilia flexuosa
mortarjoint casemaker
Marilia flexuosa is a species of mortarjoint casemaker caddisfly in the family Odontoceridae, described by Ulmer in 1905. It belongs to the order Trichoptera, an aquatic insect group known for larval cases constructed from environmental materials. The species has been documented in North America, with additional distribution records in Brazil. As with other Odontoceridae, larvae likely inhabit flowing water environments where they construct characteristic cases.
Martarega mexicana
backswimmer
Martarega mexicana is a species of backswimmer (family Notonectidae) first described by Truxal in 1949. As a member of the genus Martarega, it belongs to a group of aquatic predatory insects known for swimming upside down beneath the water surface. The species has been documented in both Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology remain limited in published literature.
Matriella teresa
Matriella teresa is a species of spiny crawler mayfly in the family Ephemerellidae, described by Traver in 1934. It belongs to a genus of mayflies found in North America. As with other members of Ephemerellidae, it likely inhabits freshwater streams and rivers during its aquatic nymphal stage.
Megamelus
Water Hyacinth Planthopper (for M. scutellaris)
Megamelus is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, comprising at least 30 described species. The genus is widely distributed and primarily associated with freshwater aquatic environments. Several species, particularly M. scutellaris, have been extensively studied as biological control agents for invasive aquatic weeds such as water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes). The genus exhibits wing dimorphism influenced by population density and host plant quality. Recent phylogenetic studies have clarified interspecific relationships and supported the monophyly of the genus.
Megamelus scutellaris
water hyacinth planthopper, waterhyacinth planthopper
Megamelus scutellaris is a small delphacid planthopper native to South America, where it is monophagous on water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes). The species has been introduced to multiple regions including Florida (2010) and South Africa (2013) as a classical biological control agent for invasive water hyacinth. It exhibits wing dimorphism, with adults occurring as either wingless (brachypterous) or winged (macropterous) forms. Population genetic studies indicate three main lineages in its native range associated with major river basins, shaped by Pleistocene climatic shifts and Holocene hydrological changes.
Megarcys subtruncata
Truncate Springfly
Megarcys subtruncata, commonly known as the truncate springfly, is a stonefly species in the family Perlodidae. It was described by Hanson in 1942. The species occurs in western North America, with documented records from British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. It belongs to a genus of predatory stoneflies typically associated with cold, well-oxygenated streams.
Merragata hebroides
velvet water bug
Merragata hebroides is a species of velvet water bug in the family Hebridae, a group of small predatory true bugs associated with moist or aquatic habitats. The species has a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents and oceanic regions. It is one of the more widely recorded species within its genus.
Mesovelia amoena
water treader
Mesovelia amoena is a species of water treader (family Mesoveliidae), a group of semiaquatic true bugs adapted to life at the water surface. The species was described by Uhler in 1894 and has a remarkably broad distribution spanning five continents. Water treaders in this family are characterized by their ability to walk on water using surface tension, aided by their hydrophobic body covering and specialized leg structure.
Metretopus borealis
Metretopus borealis is a mayfly species in the family Metretopodidae, originally described as Heptagenia borealis by Eaton in 1871. It is distributed across the Nearctic and Palearctic regions, with confirmed presence in North America. The species belongs to a small family of mayflies whose members are typically associated with cool, flowing waters.
Metrobates hesperius
Metrobates hesperius is a water strider (family Gerridae) distributed across eastern North America and the Caribbean. It belongs to the subfamily Trepobatinae, a group of semiaquatic bugs that inhabit flowing water habitats. The species was described by Uhler in 1871 and includes three recognized subspecies with distinct geographic distributions.
Micrasema
humpless casemaker caddisflies
Micrasema is a genus of caddisflies (order Trichoptera) in the family Brachycentridae, commonly referred to as humpless casemaker caddisflies. The genus contains more than 70 described species. Larvae are aquatic and construct portable cases from plant material. At least one species, Micrasema quadriloba, has been studied as a grazing insect in stream ecosystems.
Micrasema charonis
humbless casemaker caddisfly
Micrasema charonis is a species of caddisfly in the family Brachycentridae, described by Banks in 1914. It belongs to the group commonly known as humpless casemaker caddisflies, distinguishing it from other caddisfly families by its case construction behavior. The species is documented from North America.
Micrasema rusticum
humpless casemaker caddisfly
Micrasema rusticum is a species of humpless casemaker caddisfly in the family Brachycentridae, first described by Hagen in 1868. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from the United States including Vermont. As a member of the Brachycentridae family, it belongs to a group of caddisflies whose larvae construct portable cases from plant material.
Micrasema wataga
humpless casemaker caddisfly
Micrasema wataga is a species of caddisfly in the family Brachycentridae, commonly known as humpless casemaker caddisflies. The species was described by Ross in 1938 and is known from North America. Like other members of Brachycentridae, larvae construct portable cases from plant material. The species is represented by minimal observational records.