Grazer
Guides
Acneus quadrimaculatus
water penny beetle
Acneus quadrimaculatus is a species of water penny beetle in the family Psephenidae. It is endemic to the United States with confirmed records from California and Oregon. Adults are found in riparian vegetation near aquatic habitats. The species was described by Horn in 1880.
Agapetus
Agapetus caddisflies
Agapetus is a genus of caddisflies in the family Glossosomatidae, commonly known as saddle-case makers. Larvae construct portable, dome-shaped cases from sand grains and are found in lotic freshwater habitats. The genus has a global distribution with species documented across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Life cycles vary among species, ranging from univoltine to trivoltine patterns depending on geographic location and environmental conditions.
Dicosmoecus
October Caddisflies
Dicosmoecus is a genus of caddisflies in the family Limnephilidae, commonly known as October Caddisflies. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed across western North America, from California and Oregon through British Columbia to the Rocky Mountains. Species such as D. gilvipes and D. atripes are among the most intensively studied North American caddisflies due to their large larval size, synchronous autumn emergence, and importance in freshwater ecosystem research and fly-fishing culture.
Glossosoma
little black caddisflies
Glossosoma is a genus of small caddisflies comprising over 110 described species, commonly known as little black caddisflies. Larvae construct portable dome-shaped cases from mineral particles and occupy the upper surfaces of stones in flowing waters. The genus exhibits multivoltine life histories with varying generation times among species.
Helicopsyche borealis
Spectacled Snail-case Caddisfly
Helicopsyche borealis is a caddisfly species in the family Helicopsychidae, notable as one of only two Helicopsyche species to colonize temperate North America from a predominantly tropical genus. Larvae construct distinctive spiral, snail-like cases from sand grains cemented with silk. The species inhabits running waters across North America and plays a role as a collector-gatherer and scraper in stream ecosystems. Adults emerge in spring, and the life cycle is univoltine with egg diapause through summer.
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.
Neophylax
autumn mottled sedges
Neophylax is a genus of caddisflies commonly known as autumn mottled sedges, containing more than 30 described species. Larvae are aquatic case-builders that construct protective cases using silk and materials gathered from streambeds, including sand, stones, shells, and plant material. The genus exhibits notable life history diversity, with species showing temporal and spatial segregation in stream systems. Adults typically emerge in autumn, giving rise to the common name.
Orthocladius
Orthocladius is a genus of non-biting midges in the family Chironomidae. Larvae are aquatic and construct silk tubes that serve as microhabitats for associated microbial communities. The genus includes species adapted to diverse freshwater environments, including streams and hygropetric habitats.
Paracoenia
shore flies
Paracoenia is a genus of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) found in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. Species within this genus are associated with thermal springs, saline or alkaline lakes, and pond margins. Larvae develop in moist substrates at water edges, while adults and larvae feed on microorganisms including filamentous blue-green algae. The genus serves as an intermediate host for parasitic water mites and has been studied as an indicator of ecosystem stability in thermal environments.
Pentidotea resecata
Eelgrass Isopod
Pentidotea resecata, commonly known as the eelgrass isopod, is a marine isopod in the family Idoteidae. It inhabits shallow intertidal zones along the Pacific coast of North America, where it is closely associated with eelgrass (Zostera) beds. The species plays a documented role in eelgrass ecology through grazing activities.