The Macro-Invertebrate Key

The Macro-Invertebrate Key guides you through identification of a dragonfly larva (or nymph) using questions and photos. The key begins with a quick check of other aquatic invertebrates, to make sure you’re on the right track with your specimen.

Aquatic Macro-invertebrates (Phylum: Arthropoda; Class: Insecta)

We will focus on insects but there are other aquatic macro-invertebrates that are part of the Phylum: Arthropoda, such as:

• Sub-phylum: Crustacea (for example, crayfish)
• Phylum: Mollusca (snails, mussels, clams)
• Phylum: Annelida (leeches)

If you’re interested in identifying some of the other macro-invertebrates you might have found, start .

Aquatic macro-invertebrates that are insects and that inhabit North America include:

	Anax junius		Lestes eurinus
	Lestes eurinus (prementum)		Enallagma civile
	Ischnura verticalis		Callibaetis spp. (Adult)
	Callibaetis spp.		Hydrometra spp.
	Belostoma flumineum		Tropisternus spp.
	Hydrophilus spp.		Berosus spp.
	Family: Phryganeinae – case		Family: Phryganeinae

• Dragonflies (Order: Odonata, Sub-order Anisoptera)
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• Damselflies (Order: Odonata, Sub-order Zygoptera)
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• Mayflies (Order: Ephemeroptera)
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• Stoneflies (Order: Plecoptera)
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• True bugs (Order: Hemiptera)
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• Dobsonflies, fishflies, alderflies (Order: Megaloptera)
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• Water beetles (Order: Coleoptera)
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• Caddisflies (Order: Trichoptera)