Section 2: Lakefly Invertebrate Identification
Estimated Time For Lesson: 4 minutes
ID Notes
Other water beetles come in many shapes and sizes.
Most water beetles have aquatic larvae and adults, although some adults live at the water’s edge.
They have 3 pairs of visible legs on both adults and larvae
Adults have forewings hardened to form two equal wing cases, which creates a straight line down the back. They also have biting mouthparts
Larvae have a hardened head, with varied body shapes, and some have pincer-like jaws
Water beetles can be spotted swimming through open water, hiding under plants, or resting near the bottom.
Photo credit: Dr Cyril Bennett MBE
