Section 2: Lakefly Invertebrate Identification
Estimated Time For Lesson: 3 minutes
ID Notes
Alderflies crawl along the bottom of streams, ponds, and lakes.
Alderflies prefer muddy or silty habitats with decaying plant matter.
They have tapered bodies with a single tail-like filament at the end of the abdomen (called caudal filament)
They have a hardened head and thorax
Seven pairs of filamentous gills (tufts), present laterally along the side of the body to help them breathe underwater
Prominent pincer jaws can be seen and are held open when they feel threatened - used for catching prey and defence
Alderflies can be confused with caseless caddisflies and some water beetle larvae.
