Pond
Guides
Arigomphus
Pond Clubtails
Arigomphus is a genus of dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, commonly known as the pond clubtails. The genus contains seven recognized species, all endemic to North America. Males possess the club-shaped abdominal tip characteristic of gomphids, while females lack this feature. The genus is notable for its ability to complete development in artificial ponds, a trait uncommon among other gomphid genera.
Caecidotea communis
Caecidotea communis is a freshwater isopod in the family Asellidae. It inhabits ponds and exhibits cathemeral activity patterns—maintaining consistent movement rates across day and night periods. The species shows insensitivity to kairomones from predatory fish, representing the first documented case of cathemerality in crustaceans.
Callibaetis
Speckled Duns
Callibaetis is a genus of small minnow mayflies in the family Baetidae, comprising at least 30 described species distributed across North and South America. The genus has been taxonomically problematic, with recent phylogenetic work confirming its monophyly and establishing four subgenera. Species occupy diverse lentic habitats including ponds, lakes, and wetlands, with some populations adapted to variable salinity conditions.
Celithemis
pennants, small pennants
Celithemis is a monophyletic genus of eight dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as pennants or small pennants. Species are primarily distributed in eastern North America. Males of multiple species perch conspicuously on vegetation to defend territories and exhibit resource partitioning through differential perch height selection.
Cymatia
water boatmen
Cymatia is a genus of water boatmen in the family Corixidae, comprising approximately six described species. Members are aquatic true bugs inhabiting lentic waterbodies. The genus includes the neonative species Cymatia rogenhoferi, which has shown significant range expansion across Europe and the UK since 2005. Cymatia species are characterized by their tolerance of diverse environmental conditions and strong dispersal abilities.
Enallagma
bluets
Enallagma is a genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly known as bluets. Adults range from 28 to 40 mm in length. Males typically display bright blue and black coloration, while female coloration varies by species. The genus underwent taxonomic revision by Rosser Garrison in 1984. Several species have been studied for their responses to climate change and range expansion dynamics.
Gerris argenticollis
Gerris argenticollis is a univoltine water strider species native to North America. It inhabits temporary woodland ponds and exhibits temperature-dependent activity patterns, becoming active when air temperatures exceed 12°C. The species overwinters as adults and has been successfully reared in laboratory conditions.
Gerris marginatus
pond water strider
Gerris marginatus is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae, inhabiting ponds across a broad geographic range spanning Central America, North America, and South America. Research has demonstrated that predation risk, particularly from adult backswimmers (Notonecta undulata), profoundly influences its behavior, reducing mating activity, general activity, and feeding activity while increasing refuge use. Surprisingly, food availability has not been shown to significantly affect these behavioral patterns.
Helophoridae
water scavenger beetles, crawling water beetles
Helophoridae is a family of small aquatic beetles within the superfamily Hydrophiloidea, containing the single genus Helophorus. The family comprises approximately 191 species distributed primarily across the Holarctic region, with 150 species in the Palearctic and 41 in North America. A limited number of species occur in the Afrotropical region (six species), Central America, and the Indomalayan region (one species in northern India). Species inhabit diverse freshwater habitats including springs, ponds, temporary pools, and running waters, with many showing strong associations with specific hydrological regimes.
Lestes disjunctus
Northern Spreadwing
Lestes disjunctus, commonly known as the Northern Spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It is widely distributed across North America and inhabits a variety of freshwater habitats including riverine wetlands, ponds, and marshes. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle with egg diapause, requiring overwintering before hatching. Adults emerge in late June through July and remain active until late August. Larvae are predatory, feeding primarily on zooplankton and small aquatic invertebrates. The species holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic posture of spreadwing damselflies.
Leucorrhinia intacta
Dot-tailed Whiteface
Leucorrhinia intacta, commonly known as the dot-tailed whiteface, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is one of the most common and widespread species in the genus Leucorrhinia across North America. Research has documented distinctive reproductive behaviors, including female oviposition site selection favoring shallow water and male territorial defense through site-fixed 'dominion' territories. The species has been studied extensively for its behavioral ecology, particularly regarding spatial predictability of breeding activities and aggressive interactions among males.
Limnephilus
caddisfly
Limnephilus is the most diverse genus in the family Limnephilidae, containing over 180 described species with broad ecological tolerances and a primarily Holarctic distribution. Species inhabit diverse freshwater habitats including lakes, ponds, slow-moving streams, and high-altitude streams, with some extending to salt marshes and desert environments. Several species are of conservation concern in North America. The genus has been extensively studied as a bioindicator for aquatic pollution and as a model for understanding predator-prey interactions and case-building behavior.
Parapoynx maculalis
polymorphic pondweed moth
Parapoynx maculalis, commonly known as the polymorphic pondweed moth, is a small aquatic moth in the family Crambidae. It inhabits freshwater environments across eastern North America, from Florida and Texas north to Canada. The species is distinguished by its small size, white forewings with fuscous markings, and fully aquatic larval stage that feeds on submerged plants.
Sympetrum vicinum
Autumn Meadowhawk, Yellow-legged Meadowhawk
Sympetrum vicinum is a small dragonfly in the skimmer family Libellulidae, commonly known as the Autumn Meadowhawk or Yellow-legged Meadowhawk. Adults measure 26–35 mm in length and are distinguished by their yellow legs and late-season flight period. This species exhibits two disjunct populations in North America—one in the eastern United States and Canada, and another in the Pacific Northwest. It is notable for flying later into autumn than any other dragonfly species in its western range, with observations extending into November.