4-H-1018 Bioindicators of Water Quality
Authors: Julie Speelman and Natalie Carroll Photographer (unless otherwise noted): Julie Speelman Design and Layout: Linda Hines Aquatic insects can be used as bioindicators of water quality. These bioindicator cards show larval stages of aquatic insects that may be found in Indiana waterways and a corresponding tolerance score. The tolerance score represents the insect’s sensitivity to pollution and is used to estimate water quality. Insects with a tolerance score value of 0 are intolerant to pollution, while insects with a tolerance score of 10 are very tolerant of pollution. More complete instructions and data sheets are available at: www.four-h.purdue.edu/natural_resources/ (select “Resources for Teachers” and “Bioindicators”)
Instructions: • Take samples from all stream habitats along a Materials Needed: 200-foot section. dip net • Collect insects for 45 minutes. Captured insects should plastic bowl be placed in container with stream water. or dishpan • Sort the insects that look the same into different egg carton compartments. • Use the bioindicator cards to identify the insects. a stream to sample • Record the number of insects from each insect family you identify on the data sheet. • Complete the calculations and determine the stream water quality rating.
Assessing the water quality for your site: 1. Determine the Family Tolerance Score by multiplying the number of insects in each family by the tolerance value given for that family. 2. Determine the Order Totals by summing the number of insects and Family Tolerance Scores for each order. 3. Determine the Grand Total by summing the Order Totals (number of insects and Tolerance) 4. Determine the Biotic Index by dividing the Total tolerance score by the Total number of insects. 5. Estimate the stream water quality rating and degree of organic pollution from the Biotic Index table. Biotic Index Water Quality Rating Degree of Organic Pollution 0.00-3.75 Excellent Organic Pollution Unlikely 3.76-4.25 Very Good Slight Organic Pollution Possible 4.26-5.00 Good Some Organic Pollution Probable 5.01-5.75 Fair Fairly Substantial Pollution Likely 5.76-6.50 Fairly Poor Substantial Pollution Likely 6.51-7.25 Poor Very Substantial Pollution Likely 7.26-10.0 Very Poor Severe Organic Pollution Likely Ephemeroptera Mayflies
Isonychiidae
Common name: Brush-Legged Mayfly
Occurrence: 16 species in North America
Size: 8-17 mm
Habitat: Riffle areas of streams and rivers on leaves and sticks
Feeding group: Collectors/filterers
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Polymitarcyidae
Common name: Pale Burrowering Mayfly
Occurrence: 7 species in North America
Size: 12-35 mm
Habitat: Silt- and clay-bottomed rivers, lakes, and streams
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/filterers
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Siphlonuridae
Common name: Primitive Minnow Mayfly
Occurrence: 26 species in North America
Size: 6-20 mm
Habitat: Shallow areas of lakes and ponds, small streams, sandy-bottomed rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
Baetiscidae
Common name: Armored Mayfly
Occurrence: 12 species in North America
Size: 4-14 mm
Habitat: Sand, gravel, vegetation, and woody debris of streams, rivers, and lakes
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
Ephemeridae
Common name: Common Burrowing Mayfly
Occurrence: 12 species in North America
Size: 10-32 mm
Habitat: Silt- or sand-bottomed rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Heptageniidae
Common name: Flat-Headed Mayfly
Occurrence: More than 130 species in North America
Size: 5-20 mm
Habitat: Shallow areas of lakes, streams, and rivers on the surfaces of rocks, logs, and vegetation
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Potamanthidae
Common name: Hacklegill Mayfly
Occurrence: 5 species in North America
Size: 8-15 mm
Habitat: Rivers and medium–sized streams attached to rocks and woody debris
Feeding group: Collectors/filterers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Leptohyphidae
Common name: Little Stout Crawler Mayfly
Occurrence: 21 species in North America
Size: 3-10 mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers with silt or gravel; associated with vegetation and detritus
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Leptophlebiidae
Common name: Prong-Gilled Mayfly
Occurrence: More than 89 species in North America
Size: 4-15 mm
Habitat: Variety of streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers on roots or gravel
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Baetidae
Common name: Small Minnow Mayfly
Occurrence: 154 species in North America
Size: 3-12 mm
Habitat: Wide variety of ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/scrapers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Caenidae
Common name: Small Square-Gill Mayfly
Occurrence: 37 species in North America
Size: 2-8 mm
Habitat: Ponds, lakes and streams with silty bottoms; associated with vegetation
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/scrapers
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
Ephemerellidae
Common name: Spiny Crawler Mayfly
Occurrence: More than 76 species in North America
Size: 5-15 mm
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, streams; associated with algal mats, roots, plants, and wood
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 1 (low) Plecoptera Stoneflies
Nemouridae
Common name: Brown Stonefly
Occurrence: 60 species in North America
Size: 5-20 mm
Habitat: Small rivers, streams, and springs with soft substrates and leaf litter
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Perlidae
Common name: Common Stonefly
Occurrence: 40 species in North America
Size: 8-35 mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers under logs and stones
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Taeniopterygidae
Common name: Winter Stonefly
Occurrence: 30 species in North America
Size: 10-20 mm
Habitat: Flowing waters on plants or rocks
Feeding group: Shredders, some scrapers
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Capniidae
Common name: Small Winter Stonefly
Occurrence: 90 species in North America
Size: 5-10 mm
Habitat: Fast or moderately flowing streams with gravel and debris
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Leuctridae
Common name: Roll-Winged Stonefly
Occurrence: More than 40 species in North America
Size: 6-20 mm
Habitat: Streams with swift currents and gravel or debris
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 0 (low)
Pteronarcyidae
Common name: Giant Stonefly
Occurrence: More than 10 species in North America
Size: 15-70 mm
Habitat: Small, fast-moving streams
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 0 (low)
Perlodidae
Common name: Patterned Stonefly
Occurrence: More than 100 species in North America
Size: 10-50 mm
Habitat: Flowing water under stones and leaves
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 2 (low) Lepidoptera Aquatic Moths
Pyralidae
Common name: Aquatic Caterpillar
Occurrence: 20 genera with few species in North America
Size: 3-35 mm
Habitat: Water plants mainly in ponds or marshes, but sometimes in streams
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate) Coleoptera Beetles
Dryopidae
Common name: Long-Toed Water Beetle (adult) (larvae live on land)
Occurrence: 10 species in North America
Size: 4-10 mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers under rocks and logs
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate)
Dytiscidae
Common name: Predaceous Diving Beetle (adult)
Occurrence: 400 species in North America
Size: 1-40 mm
Habitat: Any aquatic environment
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate)
Dytiscidae
Common name: Predaceous Diving Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence: 400 species in North America
Size: 2-70 mm
Habitat: Any aquatic environment
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate)
Elmidae
Common name: Riffle Beetle (adult)
Occurrence: 80 species in North America
Size: 1-8 mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers on rocky bottoms
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate)
Elmidae
Common name: Riffle Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence: 80 species in North America
Size: 3-8 mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers on rocky bottoms
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate)
Gyrinidae
Common name: Whirligig Beetle, Apple Beetle (adult)
Occurrence: 50 species in North America
Size: 3-15 mm
Habitat: Ponds and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Gyrinidae
Common name: Whirligig Beetle, Apple Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence: 50 species in North America
Size: 6-30 mm
Habitat: Ponds and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Haliplidae
Common name: Crawling Water Beetle (adult)
Occurrence: 60 species in North America
Size: 2-6 mm
Habitat: Pools, ponds, and shallow areas of lakes on vegetation
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
Haliplidae
Common name: Crawling Water Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence: 60 species in North America
Size: 5-12 mm
Habitat: Pools, ponds, and shallow areas of lakes on vegetation
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 7 (high)
Hydrophilidae
Common name: Water Scavenger Beetle (adult)
Occurrence: 200 species in North America
Size: 1-40 mm
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and calm areas of streams and rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate)
Hydrophilidae
Common name: Water Scavenger Beetle (larvae)
Occurrence: 200 species in North America
Size: 4-60 mm
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and calm areas of streams and rivers
Feeding group: Predator
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate)
Psephenidae
Common name: Water Penny (only larvae aquatic)
Occurrence: 9 species in North America
Size: 3-10 mm
Habitat: Attached to rocks in riffles in streams
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate) Odonata Damselflies and Dragonflies
Calopterygidae
Common name: Broad-Winged Damselfly
Occurrence: 8 species in North America
Size: 20-50 mm
Habitat: Edges of slow-moving streams, clinging to plants
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate)
Coenagrionidae
Common name: Narrow-Winged Damselfly
Occurrence: 90 species in North America
Size: 13-25 mm
Habitat: Streams, ponds, and wetlands near edges on plants
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 9 (high)
Lestidae
Common name: Spread-Winged Damselfly
Occurrence: 19 species in North America
Size: 20-29 mm
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, and ditches on plants
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 9 (high)
Aeshnidae
Common name: Darner
Occurrence: 38 species in North America
Size: 31-50 mm
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams on plants and woody debris
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
Gomphidae
Common name: Club-Tailed Dragonfly
Occurrence: 80 species in North America
Size: 23-40 mm
Habitat: Streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds in the substrate
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Libellulidae
Common name: Common Skimmer
Occurrence: 90 species in North America
Size: 18-42 mm
Habitat: Slow streams, rivers, marshes, ponds, and ditches on the bottom or on plants
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 7 (high) Hemiptera Aquatic Bugs
Belostomatidae
Common name: Giant Water Bug, Toe-Biter
Occurrence: 19 species in North America
Size: 25-45 mm
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, marshes, pools, and ditches around aquatic vegetation
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 10 (high)
Corixidae
Common name: Water Boatman
Occurrence: 125 species in North America
Size: 3-11 mm
Habitat: Slow-moving ponds, lakes, streams, marshes, and rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 9 (high)
Gelastocoridae
Common name: Toad Bug
Occurrence: 8 species in North America
Size: 5-9 mm
Habitat: Sandy beaches or muddy edges of lakes, ponds, wetlands, or streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: Undetermined
Gerridae
Common name: Water Strider
Occurrence: 46 species in North America
Size: 3-18 mm
Habitat: Surface of ponds, streams, rivers, and ditches
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: Undetermined
Hebridae
Common name: Velvet Water Bug
Occurrence: 15 species in North America
Size: 1-2.5 mm
Habitat: Floating algal mats and edges of ponds, marshes, and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: Undetermined
Hydrometridae
Common name: Water Measurer, Marsh Treader
Occurrence: 9 species in North America
Size: 7-10 mm
Habitat: Marshes, bogs, and edges of ponds and streams on vegetation
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: Undetermined
Mesoveliidae
Common name: Water Treader
Occurrence: 3 species in North America
Size: 2-4 mm
Habitat: Floating algal mats or aquatic vegetation in ponds, streams, or lakes
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: Undetermined
Naucoridae
Common name: Creeping Water Bug
Occurrence: 23 species in North America
Size: 5-15 mm
Habitat: Aquatic plants at edges of lakes, ponds, marshes, pools, and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 5 (moderate) Photo Credit: Dr. Jonathan Neal Nepidae
Common name: Water Scorpion
Occurrence: 13 species in North America
Size: 15-45 mm
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams near the edges in the vegetation
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 8 (high)
Notonectidae
Common name: Backswimmer
Occurrence: 32 species in North America
Size: 5-15 mm
Habitat: Edges of lakes, ponds, marshes, temporary pools, and ditches
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: Undetermined
Pleidae
Common name: Pygmy Backswimmer
Occurrence: 5 species in North America
Size: 2-2.5 mm
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams around the vegetation
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: Undetermined
Saldidae
Common name: Shore Bug
Occurrence: 75 species in North America
Size: 2-8 mm
Habitat: Edges of lakes, marshes, and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: Undetermined
Veliidae
Common name: Broad-Shouldered Water Strider
Occurrence: 34 species in North America
Size: 2-6 mm
Habitat: Edges of lakes, ponds, marshes, and streams; can also be found in the riffles under rocks and logs
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate) Trichoptera Caddisflies
Brachycentridae
Common name: Humpless Casemaker
Occurrence: 6 genera with few species in North America
Size: 8-13 mm
Habitat: Flowing water of all sizes
Feeding group: Collectors/filterers, collectors/gatherers, shredders
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Glossosomatidae
Common name: Saddle Casemaker Caddisfly
Occurrence: 80 species in North America
Size: 3-10 mm
Habitat: Clear, cool streams; sometimes found in large rivers
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 0 (low)
Helicopsychidae
Common name: Snail Casemaker Caddisfly
Occurrence: 4 species in North America
Size: 8 mm (case the size of a pea)
Habitat: Streams with sandy bottoms
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
Hydropsychidae
Common name: Common Net Spinner Caddisfly
Occurrence: 150 species in North America
Size: 9-30 mm
Habitat: Flowing water on rocks or woody debris
Feeding group: Collectors
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Hydroptilidae
Common name: Micro Caddisfly
Occurrence: 180 species in North America
Size: 2-6 mm
Habitat: Streams and lakes
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Lepidostomatidae
Common name: Lepidostomatid Casemaker
Occurrence: 60 species in North America
Size: 7-11 mm
Habitat: Small, cool streams; sometimes on lakeshores or large rivers
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Leptoceridae
Common name: Long Horned Casemaker
Occurrence: 100 species in North America
Size: 7-15 mm
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams and rivers
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers/shredders
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Limnephilidae
Common name: Northern Casemaker
Occurrence: 300 species in North America
Size: 8-35 mm
Habitat: Wide range of aquatic habitats with wood, vegetation, and rocks
Feeding group: Shredders
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate)
Philopotamidae
Common name: Finger Net Caddisfly
Occurrence: 40 species in North America
Size: 10-16.5 mm
Habitat: Small streams to large rivers with flowing water under logs and rocks
Feeding group: Collectors/filterers
Tolerance score: 3 (low)
Phryganeidae
Common name: Giant Casemaker
Occurrence: 30 species in North America
Size: 20-45 mm
Habitat: Edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow- flowing streams
Feeding group: Predators, herbivores
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate) Diptera Flies
Blephariceridae
Common name: Net-Winged Midge
Occurrence: 40 species in North America
Size: 4-12 mm
Habitat: Cool, fast-flowing streams and waterfalls
Feeding group: Scrapers
Tolerance score: 0 (low)
Athericidae
Common name: Aquatic Snipe Fly
Occurrence: 5 species in North America
Size: 12-18 mm
Habitat: Under rocks in the riffle portion of streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 2 (low)
Chaoboridae
Common name: Phantom Midge
Occurrence: 19 species in North America
Size: 6-12 mm
Habitat: Standing water in marshes, lakes, and ponds
Feeding group: Predator
Tolerance score: 8 (high)
Chironomidae
Common name: Non-Biting Midge
Occurrence: 817 species in North America
Size: 2-30 mm
Habitat: Every aquatic habitat
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers, collectors/filterers, scrapers, predators
Tolerance score: Pale forms, 6 (moderate) Red forms, 8 (high)
Culicidae
Common name: Mosquito
Occurrence: 150 species in North America
Size: 4-18 mm
Habitat: Every still-water habitat
Feeding group: Collectors/filterers, collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 8 (high)
Dixidae
Common name: Dixid Midge
Occurrence: 42 species in North America
Size: 3-25 mm
Habitat: Vegetation in still waters in marshes, ponds, and streams
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 1 (low)
Empididae
Common name: Aquatic Dance Fly
Occurrence: 460 species in North America
Size: 3-20 mm
Habitat: Streams or edges of ponds and marshes
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Ephydridae
Common name: Shore Fly, Brine Fly
Occurrence: 430 species in North America
Size: 1-14 mm
Habitat: Edges of ponds, marshes, and streams in algal mats or mud
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers, shredders, scrapers, predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Ceratopogonidae
Common name: Biting Midge, Punkie, No-See-Um
Occurrence: 603 species in North America
Size: 2-20 mm
Habitat: Slow-moving lakes, ponds, marshes, or streams in soft sediment or algal masses
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Muscidae
Common name: House Fly, Stable Fly, Green Bottle Fly
Occurrence: 8 genera with aquatic larvae in North America
Size: 6-20 mm
Habitat: Running or standing water in ponds, marshes, and streams in algal mats
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Psychodidae
Common name: Moth Fly
Occurrence: 50 species in North America
Size: 3-6 mm
Habitat: Moist sediments and detritus at the edges of ponds, streams, and marshes
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 10 (high)
Sciomyzidae
Common name: Marsh Fly, Snail Killing Fly
Occurrence: 140 species in North America
Size: 3-15 mm
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Simuliidae
Common name: Black Fly, Buffalo Gnat
Occurrence: 205 species in North America
Size: 3-15 mm
Habitat: Streams and rivers with moderate to fast currents
Feeding group: Collectors/filterers
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Stratiomyidae
Common name: Soldier Fly
Occurrence: 250 species in North America
Size: 5-35 mm
Habitat: Algal mats floating on the water or mud at the edges of ponds, marshes, and streams
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 8 (high)
Syrphidae
Common name: Rattailed Maggot, Flower Fly
Occurrence: 900 species in North America
Size: 4-16 mm
Habitat: Shallow water in ponds, streams, and marshes; survive in water with low oxygen
Feeding group: Collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 10 (high)
Tabanidae
Common name: Horse Fly, Deer Fly
Occurrence: 350 species in North America
Size: 15-60 mm
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and streams burrowed into the sediment
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 6 (moderate)
Tipulidae
Common name: Crane Fly
Occurrence: 560 species in North America
Size: 3-60 mm
Habitat: Streams, ponds, and marshes under rocks, and in leaf debris and algal mats
Feeding group: Shredders, predators, or collectors/gatherers
Tolerance score: 3 (low) Megaloptera Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies
Photo Credit: Dr. Jonathan Neal Sialidae
Common name: Alderfly
Occurrence: Approximately 20 species in one genus in North America
Size: 10-28 mm
Habitat: Streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, bogs, and marshes
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 4 (moderate) Photo Credit: Dr. Jonathan Neal Corydalidae
Common name: Fishfly and Dobsonfly
Occurrence: Approximately 20 species in North America
Size: 25-90 mm
Habitat: Riffles in streams under rocks
Feeding group: Predators
Tolerance score: 0 (low)