Life-history
Guides
Acanthocnema
Acanthocnema is a genus of scathophagid flies described by Theodor Becker in 1894. A 2025 revision treated seven Nearctic species, while a separate Russian review covers the genus in that region. In a northern California stream, larvae of an Acanthocnema species preyed on the eggs of aquatic insects, especially caddisflies. The genus is recognized taxonomically through species-level keys and descriptions rather than a single field character established for all its members.
Dipetalogaster
Dipetalogaster is an accepted genus of assassin bugs in the subfamily Triatominae, represented in taxonomic and observation records by D. maxima. A life-history study examined this species in Mexican tourist-area habitats and discussed domiciliary populations. Under the study conditions, development from egg to adult took a median of 211 days and required 11 blood meals. Feeding and post-feeding defecation timing have practical importance because the species may be infected with the Chagas parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.
Hesperoperla pacifica
golden stonefly, Golden Stone
Hesperoperla pacifica, commonly known as the golden stonefly, is a species of common stonefly in the family Perlidae. It is native to western North America, with documented populations in Colorado streams and broader distribution across Alberta, Arizona, Alaska, British Columbia, and California. The species has been studied for its life history responses to varying flow regimes and serves as an indicator of stream health in its aquatic habitats.
Hydropsyche morosa
A net-spinning caddisfly species found in summer-warm rivers of southern Ontario. Has been observed to be bivoltine in lower river reaches where summer water temperatures exceed 24°C for extended periods. Larger-bodied than the sympatric Hydropsyche bronta, with which it shares habitat in the Credit and Humber river systems.
Lancetes
Lancetes is a genus of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, with more than 20 described species. GBIF records span Australasia and southern South America, including Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Research on the South Georgia species *Lancetes angusticollis* shows how one member feeds and develops in sub-Antarctic lake ecosystems.
Notonecta indica
backswimmer
Notonecta indica is a predatory aquatic true bug in the family Notonectidae, commonly known as backswimmers. The species has been documented in eastern Jamaica where it preys on mosquito larvae, particularly Aedes aegypti, with consumption rates increasing exponentially through nymphal development. Adults consume approximately 38 mosquito larvae daily under laboratory conditions. The species occurs across a broad geographic range including the Caribbean, Central America, North America, Oceania, and South America. Development from egg to adult takes approximately 36 days under warm conditions, with shorter development times than temperate backswimmer species attributed to higher temperatures and food availability.
Rhagovelia obesa
riffle bug
Rhagovelia obesa is a small aquatic true bug in the family Veliidae, commonly known as a riffle bug or smaller water strider. It inhabits flowing water environments where it uses a unique swimming plume to move underwater. The species has an unusual life history among aquatic Hemiptera, with four nymphal instars rather than five and eggs as the overwintering stage. It has been successfully reared in laboratory conditions from first instar to adult.