Aquatic Pests and Critters
See also our photo collection of Aquatic Critters
A lesson in entomological terminology:
Question: When are the immature stages of an aquatic insect a nymph versus a larva? Answer: It depends on whether the insect undergoes complete or incomplete metamorphosis. The life stages of insects undergoing incomplete metamorphosis are egg, nymph, and adult. The life stages of insects undergoing complete metamorphosis are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Among aquatic insects sharing incomplete metamorphosis are mayflies, damselflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, and water bugs (so those insects have nymphs). Among aquatic insects sharing complete metamorphosis are alderflies, dobsonflies, fishflies, beetles, caddisflies and true flies (so those insects have larvae).
- Backswimmers (UWM)
- Black Flies (their larvae are aquatic)
- Caddisflies (the larvae are aquatic) (BugGuide.net)
- Damselflies (the nymphs are aquatic) (BugGuide.net)
- Deer Flies (the larvae are aquatic)
- Dobsonflies (the larvae are aquatic)
- Dragonflies (the nymphs are aquatic)
- Drain Flies (also called Moth Flies) (found around sewage or other wet areas, indoors and/or outdoors)
- Fishflies (the larvae are aquatic)
- Giant Water Bug (commonly called a “Toe-biter”)
- Horse Flies (some horse fly larvae are aquatic)
- Mayflies (the nymphs are aquatic) (Michigan State Univ. Extension)
- Mosquitoes (Maine Forest Service) see also:
- Mosquito Biology (UMaine Extension)
- Mosquito Management (UMaine Extension)
- Insect Repellents (UMaine Extension)
- West Nile Virus (CDC)
- Preventing Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus in Maine
- Moth Flies (also called Drain Flies) (found around sewage or other wet areas, indoors and/or outdoors)
- Non-biting Midges (NS State Extension)
- Predaceous Diving Beetles (BugGuide.net)
- Stoneflies (the nymphs are aquatic) (BugGuide.net)
- Water Boatmen (UWM)
- Water Scavenger Beetles (Texas A&M)
- Waterscorpions
- Water Striders