Rivers & Streams

351 species found in this habitat

Hemiptera

Abedus Giant Water Bug

Abedus herberti

A medium-sized, broad-bodied giant water bug found in streams and springs of the American Southwest. Males are well know...

Coleoptera

African Bombardier Beetle

Stenaptinus insignis

A large, brightly colored bombardier beetle found across sub-Saharan Africa. Its yellow and dark-blue markings serve as ...

Hymenoptera

African Fig Wasp

Ceratosolen capensis

A tiny wasp with an obligate mutualistic relationship with African fig trees. Females enter figs through a narrow openin...

Coleoptera

African Firefly

Luciola africana

A Sub-Saharan African firefly with a dark brown body and pale pronotal margins. It is one of the few well-documented fir...

Diptera

African Horse Fly

Tabanus biguttatus

A large tropical horse fly that transmits animal trypanosomiasis in Africa. It is an important veterinary pest across su...

Diptera

African Malaria Mosquito

Anopheles funestus

A major malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa whose larvae develop in slow-moving stream margins. Prefers shaded, vegetat...

Lepidoptera

African Map Butterfly

Cyrestis camillus

A delicate white butterfly with fine dark lines across its wings resembling a map or circuit board. It rests with wings ...

Coleoptera

African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle

Dorylomimus kohli

A rove beetle that lives with army ant colonies in tropical Africa, mimicking the ants in body shape. It travels with th...

Hymenoptera

Alder Cimbicid Sawfly

Cimbex americanus

The largest sawfly in North America, with a robust body up to 25 mm long, clubbed antennae, and smoky brown wings. Body ...

Trichoptera

American Grannom

Brachycentrus americanus

A case-building caddisfly whose larvae attach their cases to rocks in fast current and filter-feed. Cases are chimney-sh...

Plecoptera

American Needlefly

Leuctra tenuis

A delicate needle-thin stonefly of Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are important processors of autumn-shed leaf li...

Odonata

American Rubyspot

Hetaerina americana

A graceful damselfly with brilliant ruby-red patches at the base of the wings in males. Its metallic red-bronze body gle...

Ephemeroptera

American Sand Mayfly

Dolania americana

Holds the record for the shortest adult lifespan of any insect — females live less than five minutes as adults, just lon...

Ephemeroptera

Angler's Curse Mayfly

Caenis rivulorum

A tiny mayfly nicknamed for frustrating anglers who cannot imitate it on hook. Nymphs burrow in fine sediments of slow r...

Lepidoptera

Anna's Eighty-Eight

Diaethria anna

A small neotropical butterfly with bright blue-green upper wings and a striking black-and-white numeral pattern undernea...

Plecoptera

Appalachian Springfly

Remenus bilobatus

A rare springfly restricted to a few clean Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are predatory on small invertebrates am...

Trichoptera

Apple Caddis

Brachycentrus appalachia

A caddisfly of Appalachian streams that builds tapered square cases from plant material. Larvae orient their cases facin...

Diptera

Aquatic Crane Fly

Antocha saxicola

A small crane fly whose larvae build silken cases on submerged rocks in fast-flowing streams. Larvae are true aquatic in...

Orthoptera

Aquatic Pygmy Grasshopper

Scelimena producta

A remarkable semi-aquatic pygmy grasshopper with paddle-like hind legs used for swimming. It dives and swims underwater ...

Diptera

Arctic Chironomid Midge

Diamesa mendotae

A slender, non-biting midge with long legs and feathery antennae in males. Larvae are among the first invertebrates to c...

Odonata

Asian Clubtail

Asiagomphus melaenops

A medium-sized clubtail dragonfly found in clean streams across East Asia. Males have distinctive yellow and black body ...

Odonata

Australian Emerald

Hemicordulia australiae

A metallic green-eyed dragonfly common near ponds and slow streams across Australia. It hovers sentrylike over water, ea...

Ephemeroptera

Australian Giant Mayfly

Atalophlebia australis

One of the largest Australian mayflies, found in clean streams of southeastern Australia. Nymphs have feathery gills alo...

Orthoptera

Australian Mole Cricket

Gryllotalpa pluvialis

A native Australian mole cricket that emerges from the soil in large numbers after heavy rains. It is attracted to light...

Diptera

Banded Blackfly

Simulium ornatum

A widespread European black fly species complex found in diverse stream types. Larvae filter-feed from silken pads attac...

Odonata

Banded Demoiselle

Calopteryx splendens

A striking damselfly with metallic blue-green body and distinctive dark wing patches in males. It frequents slow-flowing...

Odonata

Beautiful Demoiselle

Calopteryx virgo

A stunning damselfly with entirely dark-tinted wings in males and bronze-green wings in females. It prefers faster-flowi...

Strepsiptera

Bee-fly Strepsipteran

Stylops ater

A dark-bodied strepsipteran that parasitizes Andrena mining bees in Europe. The triungulins actively seek out host bee l...

Lepidoptera

Bhutan Glory

Bhutanitis lidderdalii

A spectacular swallowtail from the eastern Himalayas with multiple tail streamers and intricate black, white, and red wi...

Coleoptera

Big Sand Tiger Beetle

Cicindela formosa

A large and colorful tiger beetle found in sandy habitats across North America. Its color varies from bright red to dark...

Coleoptera

Big-headed Tiger Beetle

Megacephala virginica

A nocturnal tiger beetle with a disproportionately large head and long curved mandibles. It is dark brown to black and h...

Trichoptera

Bizarre Caddisfly

Lepidostoma togatum

A North American case-building caddisfly with square-sectioned cases made of leaf bits. Adults have a distinctive hairy ...

Ephemeroptera

Black Mayfly

Ephemera danica var. nigra

A dark color variant of the common Green Drake mayfly found in some European populations. The dark form is more prevalen...

Trichoptera

Black Sedge

Silo nigricornis

A caddisfly whose larvae build heavy cases from sand grains cemented with silk. Found in clean, stony streams. Cases hav...

Odonata

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

Dromogomphus spinosus

A large, elegant clubtail with distinctive spiny hind legs and black shoulder stripes. It perches conspicuously on rocks...

Odonata

Black-winged Damselfly

Calopteryx atrata

A large damselfly where males have entirely black iridescent wings with a metallic blue-green body. Females have dark sm...

Diptera

Blandford Fly

Simulium posticatum

A notorious black fly that causes severe allergic reactions with its bite around the Blandford area of Dorset. Females n...

Lepidoptera

Blue Doctor Butterfly

Rhetus periander

A large metalmark butterfly with brilliant metallic blue upperwings and distinctive red-spotted underwings with long tai...

Coleoptera

Blue Flea Beetle

Altica lythri

A small metallic blue-green flea beetle that feeds on willowherb and evening primrose. Has enlarged hind femora enabling...

Coleoptera

Blue Mint Beetle

Chrysolina coerulans

A small, deep metallic blue leaf beetle found exclusively on mint plants. Both adults and larvae feed on mint foliage....

Coleoptera

Blue Paederine Rove Beetle

Paederus balcanicus

A colorful Paederus rove beetle with metallic blue elytra and an orange thorax, found in southeastern Europe. Like all P...

Ephemeroptera

Blue Quill

Paraleptophlebia guttata

A delicate spring-emerging mayfly with bluish-gray body coloring. Nymphs prefer riffles with abundant leaf detritus in c...

Odonata

Blue-fronted Dancer

Argia apicalis

A robust damselfly with vivid blue coloring found in eastern North America. It prefers streams and rivers rather than st...

Ephemeroptera

Blue-Winged Olive

Baetis tricaudatus

A small olive-colored mayfly with distinctive bluish-gray wings, abundant in clean streams across North America. It prod...

Ephemeroptera

Blue-winged Olive Mayfly

Serratella ignita

A common mayfly of clean rivers and streams with distinctive blue-grey wings. One of the most important mayflies for fly...

Coleoptera

Bombardier Beetle

Brachinus crepitans

Defends itself with a boiling-hot chemical spray ejected from its abdomen at over 100°C. The reaction involves mixing hy...

Coleoptera

Borneo Firefly

Pteroptyx bearni

A synchronous firefly endemic to Borneo that creates dramatic light displays in riverside trees. It congregates in speci...

Odonata

Borneo River Cruiser

Macromia cingulata

A large fast-flying dragonfly of pristine river systems in Borneo. It patrols long stretches of river with a distinctive...

Coleoptera

Brassy Willow Beetle

Phratora vitellinae

A small, shiny metallic bronze to greenish beetle that feeds on willow and poplar. Adults overwinter in leaf litter and ...

Neuroptera

Brazilian Antlion

Myrmeleon brasiliensis

A common South American antlion found in sandy cerrado and caatinga habitats. Its larval pit traps dot the sandy floors ...

Hymenoptera

Broad-faced Sweat Bee

Lasioglossum platycephalum

A rare and distinctive European furrow bee with an unusually broad, flattened head. It nests in sandy or gravelly soils ...

Ephemeroptera

Brown Drake Mayfly

Ephemera simulans

A large brownish mayfly with mottled wings that produces dramatic evening hatches on trout streams. Nymphs burrow in san...

Coleoptera

Brown Willow Beetle

Galerucella lineola

A small brown beetle that feeds on willow leaves and can cause significant defoliation. Has been used as a biological co...

Ephemeroptera

Brushleg Mayfly

Isonychia bicolor

A large, fast-swimming mayfly with forelegs fringed with bristles for filter feeding. Nymphs inhabit swift riffles of la...

Ephemeroptera

Caenis Mayfly

Caenis horaria

One of the smallest mayflies, often called the 'angler's curse' because trout feed on them selectively. Larvae inhabit s...

Ephemeroptera

Cahill Mayfly

Stenacron interpunctatum

A cream-to-tan colored mayfly found throughout eastern North America. It is named after the classic Light Cahill fly fis...

Lepidoptera

Camberwell Beauty

Nymphalis antiopa

A large, velvety maroon butterfly with a broad creamy-yellow wing border and a row of blue spots. It is a rare migrant t...

Plecoptera

Cascades Stonefly

Doroneuria theodora

A large predatory stonefly endemic to Cascade Range streams. Nymphs inhabit cold boulder-strewn torrents at moderate ele...

Neuroptera

Chinese Antlion

Euroleon sinicus

An East Asian antlion found in sandy habitats across China and neighboring countries. Its larvae construct pit traps in ...

Coleoptera

Chinese Aquatic Firefly

Aquatica ficta

A firefly with fully aquatic larvae found in streams across southern China. It was the first species placed in the genus...

Megaloptera

Chinese Dobsonfly

Neoneuromus ignobilis

A large dark-colored dobsonfly found in streams across China and Southeast Asia. It is less well known than its North Am...

Coleoptera

Chinese Water Penny Beetle

Eubrianax pellucidus

A water penny beetle found in southern China whose translucent larval margins allow gas exchange with the water. Adults ...

Lepidoptera

Chocolate-tip Moth

Clostera curtula

A small greyish moth with a rich chocolate-brown patch at the tip of each forewing. It rests with its wings wrapped tigh...

Trichoptera

Cinnamon Caddis

Ceratopsyche morosa

A medium-sized net-spinning caddisfly with warm cinnamon-brown wings. Larvae build intricate silk capture nets in fast r...

Plecoptera

Claassenia Stonefly

Claassenia sabulosa

A large predatory stonefly with a mottled yellow and brown pattern. The nymphs are active nocturnal hunters that roam th...

Hymenoptera

Clarke's Mining Bee

Andrena clarkella

An early spring bee with females covered in bright orange-red fur. It is closely associated with willow catkins for poll...

Odonata

Clubtail Dragonfly

Ophiogomphus cecilia

A green-eyed dragonfly with a club-shaped abdomen tip found along clean rivers....

Odonata

Cobra Clubtail

Gomphus vastus

A large North American clubtail with a dramatically flared abdomen tip and bold yellow markings. It patrols large rivers...

Diptera

Cold-water Glacier Midge

Diamesa cinerella

A cold-adapted midge found in high-altitude streams fed by snowmelt. Its larvae are among the first colonizers of newly ...

Coleoptera

Columbia Tiger Beetle

Cicindela columbica

A rare tiger beetle known from sandy riverbanks in the Pacific Northwest. It is an agile predator that chases down small...

Odonata

Common Clubtail

Gomphus vulgatissimus

A medium-sized dragonfly with a club-shaped abdomen tip and distinctive yellow and black markings. It emerges en masse f...

Lepidoptera

Common Cruiser

Vindula erota

A large and striking butterfly with warm orange-brown wings marked with black lines and white spots. Males are more brig...

Ephemeroptera

Common Mayfly

Ephemera danica

Adults have no functional mouths and live only 1-3 days. Massive synchronized emergences called "hatches" are among natu...

Hemiptera

Common Pond Skater

Aquarius najas

A large, elongate water strider that glides across the surface of flowing rivers and large ponds. It is one of the bigge...

Coleoptera

Common Water Penny

Psephenus herricki

A small aquatic beetle whose larvae are flattened and round like a copper penny, clinging to rocks in fast streams. Adul...

Hemiptera

Common Water Strider

Aquarius remigis

A slender dark brown insect that skates across the surface of streams and ponds using water surface tension. Its long mi...

Lepidoptera

Common Windmill

Byasa polyeuctes

A black swallowtail with red body spots and white-patched hindwings that flutter in a distinctive windmill pattern. It f...

Lepidoptera

Convolvulus Hawk-moth

Agrius convolvuli

A powerful migrant hawk-moth with a streamlined grey body and pink-banded abdomen. It possesses an extraordinarily long ...

Coleoptera

Cottonwood Borer

Plectrodera scalator

A large longhorn beetle with bold black and white patterning and long antennae. Its larvae bore into the roots and lower...

Coleoptera

Cottonwood Stag Beetle

Lucanus mazama

A medium-sized North American stag beetle found near river bottoms. Males have moderately large mandibles....

Coleoptera

Creek Pacer Ground Beetle

Chlaenius tricolor

A handsome ground beetle with bright metallic green elytra, a bluish pronotum, and reddish-brown legs. It is commonly fo...

Lepidoptera

Cretan Tiger Moth

Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis

A colorful tiger moth found on Mediterranean islands including Crete and Rhodes. It has black-and-white striped forewing...

Lepidoptera

Cruiser Butterfly

Vindula dejone

A large butterfly with warm orange wings marked with black spots and lines. Males are bright tawny-orange while females ...

Diptera

Dance Fly with Feathered Legs

Rhamphomyia sulcata

A small dance fly where females have distinctive feathered or pennate leg scales used to attract males. Females inflate ...

Ephemeroptera

Dark Blue Quill

Paraleptophlebia mollis

A small dusky-winged mayfly of Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are slow crawlers among leaf debris in gentle curre...

Ephemeroptera

Dark Hendrickson Mayfly

Leptophlebia cupida

A dark-bodied spring mayfly important to trout anglers in the Northeast. Nymphs inhabit leaf packs and debris in slow to...

Odonata

Demoiselle

Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis

A Mediterranean damselfly with deeply pigmented wings and metallic body coloration....

Coleoptera

Diving Beetle

Dytiscus marginalis

A large, streamlined aquatic beetle with an olive-green body bordered in yellow. It carries an air bubble under its elyt...

Neuroptera

Dobsonfly

Corydalus cornutus

Large insects with intimidating mandibles in males that are actually too large to bite effectively. Aquatic hellgrammite...

Coleoptera

Downy Leatherwing

Podabrus tomentosus

A North American soldier beetle covered in fine pubescence, found on flowers and foliage in summer. It is an effective p...

Lepidoptera

Dragon Swallowtail

Sericinus montela

A delicate white swallowtail with black veins and red spots, bearing long spatulate tails. It has a weak fluttering flig...

Odonata

Dragonhunter

Hagenius brevistylus

The largest clubtail in North America and a formidable aerial predator. Its massive size and bold black and yellow marki...

Plecoptera

Eastern Salmonfly

Pteronarcys biloba

A large dark stonefly of Appalachian streams that emerges in late spring. Nymphs process leaf litter and are important d...

Lepidoptera

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

A large yellow butterfly with bold black tiger stripes and blue and orange markings on the hindwing margins. Females can...

Trichoptera

Eastern Weighted Casemaker

Goera stylata

A caddisfly of clean European streams that builds mineral cases with large lateral ballast stones. Larvae scrape algae f...

Odonata

Ebony Jewelwing

Calopteryx maculata

A stunning damselfly with entirely jet-black wings (males) or smoky wings with white spots (females). Males perform a co...

Coleoptera

Elderberry Borer

Desmocerus palliatus

A striking longhorn beetle with cobalt blue wing covers and a bright yellow-orange base. Its larvae develop inside the s...

Lepidoptera

Elephant Hawk-moth

Deilephila elpenor

A stunning pink and olive-green moth that hovers at flowers like a hummingbird at dusk. Its caterpillar has eyespots and...

Orthoptera

Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket

Ellipes minuta

One of the smallest orthopterans in the world, barely visible to the naked eye. It lives in moist sand and mud along tro...

Coleoptera

Elongate Paederine

Lathrobium elongatum

A very slender, reddish-brown paederine rove beetle that lives deep within waterlogged soils near streams. Its extremely...

Plecoptera

Embossed Stonefly

Paragnetina immarginata

A large patterned stonefly of clean eastern streams with raised body markings. Nymphs are top predators among stream cob...

Odonata

Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly

Phaon iridipennis

A stunning damselfly with metallic green and blue body and broad, iridescent wings with emerald spots. Males display by ...

Hymenoptera

European Oil Bee

Macropis europaea

One of only two Northern Hemisphere bees that collect floral oils instead of nectar as a food provision. It collects oil...

Lepidoptera

Eyed Hawk-moth

Smerinthus ocellatus

A large hawk-moth with cryptic brown forewings that conceal vivid blue and black eyespots on the hindwings. When startle...

Lepidoptera

Fatal Metalmark

Calephelis nemesis

A tiny dark brown butterfly with fine metallic silver lines across the wings and minute checkered fringes. Despite its o...

Coleoptera

Figwort Weevil

Cionus scrophulariae

A globular weevil with checkerboard black and white patterning found on figwort and mullein. Larvae feed externally on l...

Trichoptera

Finger-net Caddisfly

Philopotamus montanus

A medium caddisfly with golden-brown wings. Larvae spin finger-shaped silken nets in fast-flowing water to capture ultra...

Lepidoptera

Five-bar Swordtail

Graphium antiphates

An elegant swallowtail with pale creamy-white wings crossed by bold black zebra-like stripes and exceptionally long, nar...

Ephemeroptera

Flat-headed Mayfly

Epeorus assimilis

A stream-dwelling mayfly nymph with a flattened body for clinging to rocks in rapids....

Odonata

Forest Demoiselle

Calopteryx syriaca

A Near Eastern demoiselle found along streams in the Levant region. Males have dark wings with blue-green metallic body ...

Lepidoptera

Freyer's Purple Emperor

Apatura metis

A large, powerful butterfly closely related to the purple emperor but restricted to river valleys. Males display a brill...

Hymenoptera

Fulvus Driver Ant

Dorylus fulvus

A predominantly subterranean driver ant species with yellowish-brown coloration. Unlike some congeners, it rarely forms ...

Diptera

Fuscipes Tsetse Fly

Glossina fuscipes

A small riverine tsetse fly that is the major vector of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Central and East Africa. It inha...

Orthoptera

Giant Amazonian Cricket

Brachytrupes megacephalus

A large burrowing cricket with a disproportionately large head and powerful mandibles used for excavating deep soil burr...

Diptera

Giant Crane Fly

Tipula maxima

The largest European crane fly, with marbled wings spanning up to 65 mm. Larvae develop in wet leaf litter along stream ...

Megaloptera

Giant Dobsonfly

Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi

The largest aquatic insect in the world by wingspan, found in streams in Vietnam and China. Males have enormous mandible...

Neuroptera

Giant Lacewing

Polystoechotes punctata

Once widespread across North America, it vanished from the eastern US by the 1950s. A single specimen was rediscovered i...

Ephemeroptera

Giant Michigan Mayfly

Hexagenia bilineata

A large burrowing mayfly with two dark stripes on its thorax. Nymphs dig into soft clay and silt bottoms of large rivers...

Plecoptera

Giant Stonefly

Pteronarcys californica

Large aquatic insects whose nymphs require pristine, cold, oxygen-rich streams. Adults are poor fliers and stay near wat...

Lepidoptera

Giant Swallowtail of the Andes

Papilio thoas

One of the largest swallowtail butterflies in South America, with bold yellow and black striped wings and long tail stre...

Hemiptera

Giant Water Strider

Gigantometra gigas

The largest water strider in the world, found in Southeast Asian streams. Its leg span can reach over 25 cm across the w...

Diptera

Glacier Midge

Diamesa steinboecki

A remarkable midge that completes its entire life cycle in glacial streams at temperatures near 0C. Represents one of th...

Plecoptera

Golden Stonefly

Calineuria californica

A large predatory stonefly with a golden-brown body found in western North American rivers. Its nymphs are active hunter...

Odonata

Golden-Ringed Dragonfly

Cordulegaster boltonii

The longest dragonfly in Britain, adorned with bold black and yellow rings along its body. Females have a conspicuous ov...

Diptera

Golubatz Fly

Simulium colombaschense

A historically devastating European black fly named after the Serbian town of Golubac. Larvae develop in the fast waters...

Plecoptera

Graceful Winter Stonefly

Capnia gracilaria

A minute stonefly of cold North American headwater streams emerging in winter. Females are often short-winged or wingles...

Trichoptera

Grannom Caddisfly

Brachycentrus subnubilus

A small dark caddisfly that produces massive spring hatches on European rivers. Larvae build distinctive square-sectione...

Orthoptera

Granulated Pygmy Grasshopper

Tetrix arenosa

A granular-textured pygmy grasshopper found on sandy and gravelly substrates in North America. Its rough body surface en...

Lepidoptera

Great Helen

Papilio iswara

A large, elegant swallowtail with dark velvety black wings bearing a broad white band across the hindwings and blue subm...

Lepidoptera

Great Nawab

Polyura eudamippus

A large and powerful butterfly with pale green-white uppersides and richly marked brown and olive undersides. The hindwi...

Trichoptera

Great Red Sedge

Phryganea striata

A large cinnamon-colored caddisfly with distinctive striped wings, well known to European anglers. It hatches in early s...

Hymenoptera

Green Alder Sawfly

Monsoma pulveratum

A pale green sawfly that blends well with alder foliage. Larvae are translucent green and feed on the undersides of alde...

Lepidoptera

Green Dragontail

Lamproptera meges

A diminutive swallowtail butterfly with translucent green-tinted wings and extraordinarily long, slender tail streamers ...

Ephemeroptera

Green Drake Mayfly

Ephemera guttulata

A large and strikingly beautiful mayfly with mottled wings that emerges in late spring. Its hatches on eastern North Ame...

Trichoptera

Green Sedge

Rhyacophila dorsalis

A free-living caddisfly larva that does not build a case, instead roaming the streambed as an active predator. Adults ha...

Lepidoptera

Green-banded Swallowtail

Papilio nireus

A striking black swallowtail with brilliant metallic blue-green bands across both wings. It is a fast flier often seen m...

Odonata

Green-eyed Hooktail

Paragomphus genei

An African clubtail with bright green eyes and hooked male appendages. It is found along rivers and streams throughout s...

Coleoptera

Hairy Whirligig Beetle

Orectochilus villosus

A nocturnal whirligig beetle covered in fine golden hairs that trap air underwater. Unlike other whirligigs it hides und...

Lepidoptera

Harvester Butterfly

Feniseca tarquinius

The only carnivorous butterfly in North America, whose caterpillar feeds on woolly aphids rather than plants. Adults are...

Megaloptera

Hellgrammite

Nigronia serricornis

A dark-colored dobsonfly whose larvae, known as hellgrammites, are prized as fishing bait. Adults are smaller than Coryd...

Plecoptera

Hooked Stonefly

Agnetina capitata

A large, patterned stonefly of eastern North American rivers with distinctive hooked anal gills. Nymphs are active noctu...

Coleoptera

Horn-headed Rove Beetle

Bledius tricornis

A small rove beetle in which males bear three horn-like projections on the head, used in combat for burrow ownership. It...

Lepidoptera

Hornet Moth

Sesia apiformis

A clearwing moth that is a near-perfect mimic of the European hornet....

Neuroptera

Indian Antlion

Myrmecaelurus trigrammus

A medium-sized antlion widespread across southern Asia and the Middle East. Often encountered in sandy soils near human ...

Megaloptera

Indian Dobsonfly

Nevromus testaceus

A medium-sized dobsonfly found in hill streams of the Indian subcontinent. Larvae live under rocks in well-oxygenated ra...

Ephemeroptera

Indian Olive Mayfly

Baetis conservatus

A small olive-colored mayfly found in Himalayan streams and foothill rivers. Nymphs are agile swimmers adapted to modera...

Coleoptera

Indian Tiger Beetle

Cicindela aurulenta

A brilliantly metallic green tiger beetle with coppery-red margins on the elytra. It is an agile predator that runs swif...

Diptera

Inland Floodwater Mosquito

Aedes vexans

One of the most widespread and abundant mosquitoes globally, with a brownish body and narrow white bands on the hind tar...

Ephemeroptera

Iron Blue Dun

Baetis muticus

A small dark mayfly that hatches prolifically on cool overcast days. Nymphs are found clinging to stones in moderate to ...

Megaloptera

Japanese Alderfly

Sialis japonica

A medium-sized alderfly found in ponds and slow streams across Japan. It is one of the most common megalopterans in East...

Neuroptera

Japanese Antlion

Hagenomyia micans

A large East Asian antlion with glossy wings and a robust body. A familiar summer insect across Japan attracted to artif...

Ephemeroptera

Japanese Burrowing Mayfly

Ephemera japonica

A large burrowing mayfly native to Japanese rivers and streams. It emerges in large numbers during early summer evenings...

Megaloptera

Japanese Dobsonfly

Protohermes grandis

A large aquatic insect known as 'hebi-tonbo' (snake dragonfly) in Japanese. The adult males have elongated, curved mandi...

Coleoptera

Japanese Genji Firefly

Luciola cruciata

An aquatic-larval firefly revered in Japanese culture, found near clean streams. It is one of the few fireflies whose la...

Orthoptera

Japanese Katydid

Gampsocleis buergeri

A large green katydid with a robust body and powerful jaws found across Japan. Its loud evening chirping song is one of ...

Lepidoptera

Japanese Lunar Moth

Actias aliena

A beautiful pale green moon moth found in Japan, known as 'o-mizuao.' Features long, elegant tail streamers on the hindw...

Orthoptera

Japanese Mole Cricket

Gryllotalpa fossor

A mole cricket native to Japan and Korea that inhabits moist soils near rivers and paddies. It is declining in some area...

Coleoptera

Japanese Tiger Beetle

Cicindela japonica

A common and widespread tiger beetle across Japan with variable coloring from green to coppery brown. It frequents sunny...

Odonata

Julia Skimmer

Orthetrum julia

A slender African dragonfly where mature males develop a striking black and white pattern. It is found throughout sub-Sa...

Odonata

Keeled Skimmer

Orthetrum coerulescens

A slender dragonfly where mature males develop a powder-blue abdomen. Females and immature males are yellowish-brown. It...

Odonata

Kirby's Dropwing

Trithemis kirbyi

A bright orange-red dragonfly widespread across Africa and into southern Asia. Males have distinctive orange wing bases ...

Trichoptera

Kosovo Caddisfly

Tinodes lumbardhi

A caddisfly species new to science described in 2025 from the Lumbardhi i Decanit River in Kosovo. Its discovery highlig...

Ephemeroptera

Labrador Minnow Mayfly

Baetis labradoriensis

A small mayfly found in cold northern streams with rapid currents. Nymphs cling to submerged stones and feed on periphyt...

Megaloptera

Large Alderfly

Sialis nigripes

A relatively large alderfly with dark wings and black legs found near rivers in eastern North America. Adults rest on st...

Trichoptera

Large Cinnamon Sedge

Potamophylax latipennis

A large, robust caddisfly with broad cinnamon-colored wings found across Europe. Larvae build heavy stone cases in cool ...

Ephemeroptera

Large Dark Olive Mayfly

Baetis rhodani

The most common European mayfly, emerging year-round in many rivers. It is a small olive-brown species that serves as a ...

Coleoptera

Large Elm Beetle

Oulimnius tuberculatus

A small, robust riffle beetle found throughout European streams. Adults have a distinctive tuberculate surface texture o...

Plecoptera

Large Spring Stonefly

Dinocras cephalotes

One of the largest European stoneflies with a distinctively broad, flattened head. Nymphs are apex invertebrate predator...

Plecoptera

Large Stonefly

Perla bipunctata

One of the largest European stoneflies with a distinctive pair of pale spots on its head. Its predatory nymphs live amon...

Coleoptera

Large Whirligig Beetle

Dineutus americanus

The largest North American whirligig beetle, found on the surface of streams and rivers. It produces defensive chemicals...

Trichoptera

Lepidostoma Leaf Caddis

Lepidostoma quercinum

A caddisfly named for its association with oak-leaf-rich streams. Larvae build tidy rectangular cases from leaf squares....

Lepidoptera

Lesser Purple Emperor

Apatura ilia

Similar to the Purple Emperor but smaller, with an ocellus on the forewing and more strongly marked underside. It occurs...

Ephemeroptera

Light Cahill Mayfly

Heptagenia solitaria

A pale-colored mayfly highly prized by fly fishers for imitating hatches. Nymphs prefer moderate current over gravel sub...

Trichoptera

Limnephiloid Snail Caddis

Helicopsyche limnella

A tiny caddisfly that builds a perfectly spiraled case from fine sand grains cemented with silk. Larvae scrape algae fro...

Trichoptera

Little Black Caddis

Chimarra obscura

A small, dark caddisfly that builds finger-shaped silk nets in stream crevices. It is widespread in warm-water streams a...

Trichoptera

Little Olive Sedge

Hydropsyche betteni

A common North American net-spinning caddisfly tolerant of a range of water qualities. Larvae build intricate filtering ...

Trichoptera

Little Sister Sedge

Cheumatopsyche campyla

A small net-spinning caddisfly widespread in warm-water streams. Larvae tolerate moderate enrichment better than most Hy...

Trichoptera

Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge

Glossosoma nigrior

A small, abundant caddisfly of eastern North American streams. Larvae build tortoise-shell-shaped cases of fine gravel a...

Diptera

Log Miner Midge

Stenochironomus hilaris

A wood-mining chironomid whose larvae bore into submerged decaying logs in streams. Larvae create visible galleries bene...

Diptera

Long-legged Fly

Dolichopus ungulatus

A small, slender fly with a brilliant metallic green body and long, thin legs. Males have modified leg structures used i...

Diptera

Long-Palped Crane Fly

Dicranota bimaculata

A short-bodied crane fly whose predatory larvae inhabit gravel beds of clean streams. Larvae are active hunters among co...

Ephemeroptera

Long-Tailed Mayfly

Palingenia longicauda

The largest European mayfly with body and cerci reaching over 120 mm. Its spectacular mass hatches on the Tisza River ar...

Coleoptera

Long-Toed Water Beetle

Stenelmis crenata

A small riffle beetle with elongated tarsal claws for gripping rocks in fast currents. Both adults and larvae are entire...

Coleoptera

Loricera Bristly Ground Beetle

Loricera pilicornis

A small, distinctive ground beetle with uniquely modified antennae bearing long bristles. These bristle-fringed antennae...

Coleoptera

Luminous Beetle of Ulu Selangor

Pteroptyx similis

A tiny synchronous firefly found along rivers in Malaysia. Males congregate by the hundreds in berembang trees along tid...

Lepidoptera

Lunar Hornet Moth

Sesia bembeciformis

A large clearwing moth that mimics a hornet and bores into willow and sallow trunks. Adults emerge in midsummer and are ...

Lepidoptera

Madagascan Moon Moth

Argema mittrei male form

The male form has exceptionally long tail streamers that can exceed 15 cm. These tails spin in flight, confusing bat ech...

Ephemeroptera

Mahogany Dun

Isonychia harperi

A large reddish-brown mayfly with impressive filter-feeding forelegs. Nymphs prefer moderate to fast riffles with clean ...

Lepidoptera

Malabar Banded Peacock

Papilio buddha

A striking swallowtail endemic to the Western Ghats with broad green bands across dark wings. Males congregate at mud pu...

Coleoptera

Malagasy Aquatic Beetle

Hydrophilus madagascariensis

A large, shiny black aquatic beetle with a streamlined oval body. It carries a bubble of air beneath its body for underw...

Megaloptera

Malagasy Dobsonfly

Neochauliodes madagascariensis

A large, brown-winged insect with broad wings held tent-like over the body at rest. Males may have elongated mandibles. ...

Odonata

Malagasy Flatwing

Platycnemis malgassica

A slender damselfly with expanded white tibiae on the middle and hind legs, used in courtship displays. Males have a pal...

Coleoptera

Malaysian Firefly

Pteroptyx valida

A synchronous firefly of Malaysian rivers that creates spectacular congregation displays. It is a key species for firefl...

Lepidoptera

Map Butterfly

Araschnia levana

A small butterfly that produces two dramatically different seasonal forms within the same year. Spring adults are orange...

Trichoptera

Marbled Sedge

Hydropsyche contubernalis

A net-spinning caddisfly with distinctly marbled wing patterns. It is common in larger European rivers and is tolerant o...

Ephemeroptera

March Brown Mayfly

Rhithrogena germanica

A spring-emerging mayfly with a brownish body and two tails, historically important to European fly fishing. Its flat ny...

Odonata

Mascarene Spreadwing

Lestes auripennis

A rare damselfly endemic to Mauritius and Reunion in the Mascarene Islands. It breeds in slow-flowing streams with overh...

Trichoptera

Microcaddisfly

Hydroptila sparsa

One of the smallest caddisflies, with adults only 3-4 mm long. Larvae build tiny purse-shaped cases from silk and algae ...

Diptera

Minimus Malaria Mosquito

Anopheles minimus

A small mosquito found along the foothills and valleys of Southeast Asia, breeding in slow-moving, clear streams. It has...

Orthoptera

Mole Cricket

Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa

Extraordinary burrowers with powerful shovel-like forelegs adapted for digging. Males construct horn-shaped burrows that...

Orthoptera

Moss Grasshopper

Batrachideinae sp. (Coscineuta coxalis)

A tiny pygmy grasshopper with an elongated pronotum covered in moss-like textures. It is practically invisible on moss-c...

Trichoptera

Mother of Pearl Caddisfly

Mystacides azurea

A small iridescent caddisfly with long antennae and pearly blue-green wings. It swarms in large mating flights over lake...

Diptera

Mountain Dance Fly

Empis pennipes

A predatory fly with feathery leg fringes used in aerial mating displays. Males offer prey gifts wrapped in silk to fema...

Coleoptera

Narrow-bordered Bombardier

Brachinus sclopeta

A Mediterranean bombardier beetle with a narrow body and orange-brown coloring. It shelters communally under stones in d...

Coleoptera

Nebria Streamside Beetle

Nebria brevicollis

A very common European ground beetle often found near streams and in damp habitats. It is active year-round including du...

Plecoptera

Needle Stonefly

Leuctra fusca

A small slender stonefly that rolls its wings tightly around its body at rest, giving it a needle-like appearance. Commo...

Plecoptera

Needlefly

Leuctra inermis

A slender stonefly that rolls its wings tightly around its body at rest, resembling a needle. Nymphs shred leaf litter i...

Lepidoptera

Neotropical Blue Hairstreak

Pseudolycaena marsyas

A brilliant iridescent blue hairstreak butterfly with delicate tail streamers on the hind wings. Its underside is pale g...

Coleoptera

Nettle-tap Flea Beetle

Longitarsus nasturtii

A tiny yellowish-brown flea beetle found on watercress and other crucifers in damp habitats. Larvae mine in plant roots....

Lepidoptera

Nettle-tree Butterfly

Libythea celtis

A medium butterfly with angular wings and an extremely long snout formed by elongated palps. Its wings are dark brown wi...

Odonata

New Zealand Blue Damselfly

Austrolestes colensonis

New Zealand's most common damselfly, with striking blue and black colouration in males. It is found near ponds, lakes, a...

Trichoptera

New Zealand Caddisfly

Olinga feredayi

A stony-cased caddisfly endemic to New Zealand streams. Larvae are important grazers found in virtually all clean New Ze...

Ephemeroptera

New Zealand Mayfly

Deleatidium lillii

The most abundant and widespread mayfly genus in New Zealand. Nymphs dominate the invertebrate fauna of stony streams th...

Onychophora

New Zealand Peripatus

Peripatoides novaezealandiae

A velvet worm native to New Zealand, representing one of the most ancient terrestrial animal lineages. Although not an i...

Diptera

New Zealand Sandfly

Austrosimulium ungulatum

A small black fly endemic to New Zealand that inflicts painful bites, particularly notorious in the South Island's West ...

Plecoptera

New Zealand Stonefly

Zelandoperla decorata

An endemic New Zealand stonefly found in clean, fast-flowing streams. The aquatic nymphs are important indicators of wat...

Hymenoptera

Nigerian Driver Ant

Dorylus nigricans

A large driver ant species with massive soldier caste bearing sickle-shaped mandibles. Raiding columns can stretch over ...

Megaloptera

North American Alderfly

Sialis infumata

A small, dark-winged alderfly common near ponds and slow streams across eastern North America. Adults are clumsy fliers ...

Orthoptera

North American Pygmy Mole Cricket

Neotridactylus apicialis

A minute mole cricket found on sandy shores of rivers and ponds in North America. It burrows just beneath the wet sand s...

Plecoptera

Northern Stonefly

Nemoura arctica

A small, dark brown stonefly with two long cerci at the tip of the abdomen. Adults hold their wings flat over the body. ...

Trichoptera

October Caddis

Dicosmoecus gilvipes

A large orange-bodied caddisfly that hatches in autumn on western North American rivers. It is one of the most important...

Odonata

Ogasawara Damselfly

Rhinocypha ogasawarensis

A striking damselfly endemic to the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands of Japan. Males display iridescent blue wing patches durin...

Coleoptera

Okinawan Firefly

Luciola owadai

A subtropical firefly endemic to the Ryukyu Islands with a small dark body and rapid greenish flash. It is one of severa...

Lepidoptera

Old Lady Moth

Mormo maura

A large, sombre dark-brown moth whose wing pattern was thought to resemble a shawl worn by elderly women. It hides in da...

Ephemeroptera

Olive Drake Mayfly

Ephemera lineata

A large burrowing mayfly with distinctive mottled brown wings. Nymphs excavate U-shaped burrows in sandy stream bottoms....

Diptera

Onchocerciasis Black Fly

Simulium damnosum

The primary vector of river blindness in West and Central Africa. Larvae thrive in oxygen-rich rapids of tropical rivers...

Odonata

Orange-spotted Emerald

Oxygastra curtisii

A rare metallic green dragonfly with golden spots along its abdomen....

Coleoptera

Oregon Tiger Beetle

Cicindela oregona

A variable-colored tiger beetle found in open sandy and gravelly habitats across western North America. Coloring ranges ...

Diptera

Orthoclad Stream Midge

Orthocladius oblidens

A small non-biting midge typical of cold running water habitats. Larvae build silk tubes on stone surfaces in stream rif...

Ephemeroptera

Pale Evening Dun

Heptagenia adaequata

A flat-bodied mayfly whose nymphs press tightly against rocks in swift currents. Adults emerge at dusk during summer mon...

Ephemeroptera

Pale Morning Dun

Ephemerella excrucians

A small pale yellowish mayfly that hatches in large numbers on western North American streams during late spring. It is ...

Lepidoptera

Pale Triangle

Graphium eurypylus

A fast-flying swallowtail with pale blue-green triangle markings on black wings. It frequently puddles on wet sand and m...

Coleoptera

Papuan Synchronous Firefly

Pteroptyx cribellata

A tropical firefly with a soft brownish body and prominent light organs. Found in New Guinea, it forms large synchronous...

Lepidoptera

Pebble Prominent Moth

Notodonta ziczac

A grey-brown moth with a tuft of scales on the trailing edge of each forewing that creates a prominent bump. Its caterpi...

Diptera

Pedician Crane Fly

Pedicia rivosa

A large, mottled-winged crane fly whose predatory larvae hunt invertebrates in wet mud and stream margins. Adults are of...

Coleoptera

Pedilus Beetle

Notoxus monoceros

A small ant-like beetle with a distinctive forward-pointing horn on the thorax. Found on sandy ground and under debris. ...

Plecoptera

Perlodes Stonefly

Perlodes microcephalus

A striking patterned stonefly with yellow and brown markings found across Europe. Nymphs are active predators that emerg...

Ephemeroptera

Pink Lady Mayfly

Epeorus vitreus

A pale pinkish mayfly of eastern North American streams with a distinctly two-tailed nymph. Adults have translucent wing...

Lepidoptera

Poplar Hawk-moth

Laothoe populi

A large grey-brown hawk-moth that holds its hindwings forward of the forewings at rest, creating an unusual silhouette. ...

Lepidoptera

Poplar Kitten Moth

Furcula bifida

A small relative of the puss moth with a caterpillar that also has tail whips....

Ephemeroptera

Purple Dun

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva

A small dark mayfly with purplish-gray wings found in eastern streams. Nymphs crawl among submerged leaf packs in modera...

Lepidoptera

Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

A furry white moth whose caterpillar has whip-like tail filaments and sprays formic acid....

Orthoptera

Pygmy Mole Cricket

Tridactylus variegatus

A tiny mole cricket that lives along sandy stream banks and lake margins. It has miniature digging forelegs and can jump...

Ephemeroptera

Quill Gordon Mayfly

Epeorus pleuralis

A medium-sized flat-bodied mayfly that clings to rocks in fast Appalachian streams. It is one of the first major mayfly ...

Diptera

Rain Fly

Haematopota crassicornis

A medium-sized cleg with mottled grey wings and iridescent green eyes. It is most active in humid overcast weather befor...

Coleoptera

Rainbow Leaf Beetle

Chrysolina fastuosa

A metallic multicolored beetle with iridescent green, blue, and purple stripes....

Coleoptera

Red and Black Rove Beetle

Paederus riparius

A small but notorious rove beetle with a red thorax and abdomen and blue-black elytra. Its hemolymph contains pederin, a...

Coleoptera

Red Poplar Leaf Beetle

Chrysomela populi

A shiny red-orange beetle with a black head, commonly found on poplar and willow trees. Larvae release a pungent salicyl...

Coleoptera

Riffle Beetle

Elmis aenea

A tiny, dark beetle that spends its entire adult life underwater clinging to rocks in riffles. It breathes using a plast...

Odonata

River Clubtail

Stylurus flavipes

A large clubtail dragonfly with yellow and black markings and a distinctly expanded abdomen tip. It breeds in large lowl...

Odonata

River Jewelwing

Calopteryx aequabilis

A North American damselfly with narrow dark wing tips in males and a metallic green body. It prefers faster-flowing rive...

Diptera

River Midge

Rheotanytarsus exiguus

A small filter-feeding midge that builds silken nets on submerged stones in flowing water. Larvae are among the most abu...

Trichoptera

Rock Caddisfly

Goera calcarata

A caddisfly of limestone streams whose cases incorporate calcareous sand grains and pebble ballast. Larvae scrape algae ...

Plecoptera

Rolled-Wing Stonefly

Leuctra geniculata

A small autumn-emerging stonefly with wings rolled around the body. It is one of the few stoneflies that hatches in late...

Lepidoptera

Rosy Underwing

Catocala electa

A large moth with camouflaged grey-brown forewings hiding vivid rosy-pink and black hindwings. When disturbed, the flash...

Odonata

Russet-tipped Clubtail

Stylurus plagiatus

A handsome clubtail with orange-brown wingtips and a distinctly widened club-shaped abdomen. It flies late in the season...

Trichoptera

Rusty Sedge

Hydropsyche saxonica

A net-spinning caddisfly of clean upland European streams sensitive to organic pollution. Larvae construct fine-meshed c...

Trichoptera

Saddle-Case Caddisfly

Glossosoma conformis

A small caddisfly whose larvae build distinctive saddle-shaped cases from tiny stones. When it pupates, it cuts the case...

Plecoptera

Sallfly

Chloroperla tripunctata

A small, bright green stonefly with three distinctive dark spots on its head. It is common in clean European upland stre...

Lepidoptera

Sallow Kitten

Furcula furcula

A small, fluffy white moth with delicate grey markings. Named for its resemblance to a small cat. Larvae have tail filam...

Coleoptera

Salt Creek Tiger Beetle

Cicindela nevadica lincolniana

One of the rarest insects in the world, this small tiger beetle has dark olive-brown elytra with faint white markings. I...

Trichoptera

Sand Fly Caddis

Glossosoma intermedium

A small caddisfly whose larvae build distinctive tortoise-shell-shaped stone cases. They are important grazers on algae-...

Siphonaptera

Sand Martin Flea

Ceratophyllus styx

A flea species specific to sand martin colonies in their bank-nesting burrows. It can accumulate in large numbers in nes...

Trichoptera

Sand-Case Caddisfly

Sericostoma personatum

A caddisfly whose larvae build smooth, curved cases entirely from fine sand grains cemented with silk. Adults are dark w...

Odonata

Sapphire Jewelwing

Vestalis luctuosa

A large Southeast Asian damselfly with a dark metallic blue body and dark-tipped wings. Males shimmer with deep sapphire...

Lepidoptera

Satin Moth

Leucoma salicis

A pure white moth with a satin-like sheen and strikingly chequered black-and-white legs. It can become a serious defolia...

Odonata

Scarce Chaser

Libellula fulva

A medium-sized dragonfly where mature males develop a powdery blue abdomen. It is associated with clean, slow-flowing ri...

Coleoptera

Scarlet Minivet Beetle

Lycostomus modestus

A net-winged beetle with conspicuous orange-red elytra featuring a reticulate pattern of raised veins. It is soft-bodied...

Lepidoptera

Scarlet Tiger Moth

Callimorpha dominula

A striking day-flying moth with black forewings spotted with white and yellow, and brilliant scarlet hindwings. It playe...

Odonata

Seychelles Cascader

Zygonyx hookeri

A large dragonfly endemic to the Seychelles that breeds in fast-flowing streams and waterfalls. Adults hawk insects over...

Plecoptera

Short-Tailed Stonefly

Brachyptera risi

A medium-sized early-emerging stonefly with notably short cerci. It hatches in late winter and early spring across Europ...

Lepidoptera

Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

Sthenopis argenteomaculatus

A large ghost moth from North America with silver-spotted wings. Caterpillars bore into the roots of alder trees, taking...

Trichoptera

Silverhorn Caddisfly

Athripsodes cinereus

A delicate caddisfly with silvery-grey wings and very long antennae. It is common near lakes and slow rivers across Euro...

Odonata

Sinuate-winged Damselfly

Tatocnemis sinuatipennis

An endemic damselfly with distinctively sinuate or wavy-edged wings, a feature unique among Malagasy odonates. Males hav...

Plecoptera

Skimmer Stonefly

Acroneuria abnormis

A large predatory stonefly widespread in eastern North American rivers. Adults skim across the water surface during egg-...

Trichoptera

Small Ballast Caddisfly

Silo pallipes

A small caddisfly that cements large pebbles to its mineral case for ballast in fast water. Found exclusively in clean c...

Odonata

Small Goldenring

Cordulegaster trinacriae

A Mediterranean goldenring dragonfly found in Italy and nearby regions. It is smaller than most goldenrings and inhabits...

Lepidoptera

Small Rivulet

Perizoma alchemillata

A delicate small moth found in damp habitats where hemp agrimony grows. The larvae feed inside the flowers. Has subtle g...

Ephemeroptera

Small Spurwing Mayfly

Centroptilum luteolum

A tiny, elegant mayfly with a distinctive spur on its hindwing. It is widespread in European streams and rivers with goo...

Plecoptera

Small-headed Stonefly

Perlodes microcephala

A large spring-emerging stonefly found in clean upland rivers. Nymphs are predatory, feeding on mayfly and midge larvae....

Trichoptera

Snail-Case Caddis

Helicopsyche borealis

A remarkable caddisfly whose larvae build coiled cases from sand grains that closely resemble tiny snail shells. It is w...

Trichoptera

Snail-Case Caddisfly

Helicopsyche mexicana

A remarkable caddisfly whose larva builds a coiled sand-grain case resembling a tiny snail shell. Found in warm streams ...

Plecoptera

Snowborn Stonefly

Capnia atra

A tiny black stonefly that emerges during the coldest months in northern North America. Adults are frequently observed w...

Plecoptera

South African Brown Stonefly

Neoperla spio

A medium-sized brown stonefly found in rivers and streams of southern and eastern Africa. Nymphs are predatory and favor...

Megaloptera

South African Dobsonfly

Taeniochauliodes ochraceus

A large dobsonfly from southern African rivers with broad amber-tinged wings....

Hymenoptera

South American Fire Ant

Solenopsis saevissima

An aggressive reddish-brown fire ant native to South America with a painful venomous sting. Colonies form conspicuous mo...

Coleoptera

South American Giant Diving Beetle

Megadytes ducalis

One of the largest diving beetles in South America with a glossy dark olive body. It inhabits large rivers and lakes of ...

Ephemeroptera

South American Giant Mayfly

Campsurus major

A large tropical mayfly found in South American rivers and floodplains. Males have distinctive elongated forelegs used f...

Plecoptera

Southern Salmonfly

Neoperla clymene

A medium-sized stonefly of warm southeastern streams with nocturnal adults. Nymphs are active predators in gravel substr...

Odonata

Southern Skimmer

Orthetrum brunneum

A robust skimmer dragonfly where males develop a pale powder-blue pruinescence. Females are brown with a pale lateral st...

Odonata

Sparkling Jewelwing

Calopteryx xanthostoma

A southwestern European demoiselle closely related to the Banded Demoiselle. Males have broad dark wing bands and a dist...

Plecoptera

Speckled Peter Stonefly

Paragnetina media

A medium-sized patterned stonefly of eastern streams with distinctive speckled wing markings. Nymphs are voracious preda...

Ephemeroptera

Spiny Crawler Mayfly

Ephemerella subvaria

A mayfly important to fly anglers and known as the Hendrickson in fishing culture....

Trichoptera

Spotted Hydropsyche Caddisfly

Hydropsyche slossonae

A net-spinning caddisfly with tan to brown mottled wings. Larvae build intricate silken nets between rocks to capture dr...

Trichoptera

Spotted Sedge

Hydropsyche siltalai

A net-spinning caddisfly that constructs silken capture nets in fast-flowing water to filter food from the current. Adul...

Megaloptera

Spring Fishfly

Chauliodes rastricornis

A medium-sized fishfly with pectinate antennae found in eastern North America. Adults are attracted to lights near river...

Plecoptera

Spring Stonefly

Amphinemura sulcicollis

A small dark stonefly that emerges in early spring in European streams. Nymphs are shredders of decomposing leaf litter ...

Plecoptera

Springfly

Isoperla signata

A spring-emerging stonefly of fast-flowing European streams. Nymphs are active hunters that pursue prey among streambed ...

Diptera

Stalk-Eyed Fly

Teleopsis dalmanni

Males have eyes on the tips of long rigid stalks that can span wider than their body length. Females prefer males with w...

Coleoptera

Stinking Longhorn

Aromia moschata ambrosiaca

A subspecies of the musk beetle with even more intense metallic coloring and a slightly different fragrance....

Odonata

Stream Jewelwing

Neurobasis chinensis

A spectacular tropical damselfly where males have iridescent metallic green hindwings that flash in sunlight. Females ha...

Hymenoptera

Striped Alder Sawfly

Hemichroa crocea

A brightly colored sawfly with an orange body and black markings on the thorax. Larvae are pale yellowish-green with dar...

Diptera

Striped Deer Fly

Chrysops vittatus

A small deer fly with distinctive dark bands across its wings and bright green and gold patterned eyes. Females are pers...

Dermaptera

Striped Earwig

Labidura riparia

A large, pale sandy-brown earwig with dark longitudinal stripes, commonly found near water. It is one of the most widesp...

Lepidoptera

Striped Hawkmoth

Hyles livornica

A streamlined hawk-moth with olive-brown forewings crossed by pale veins and pink-banded hindwings. It is a strong migra...

Plecoptera

Stripetail Stonefly

Isoperla bilineata

A yellow-green stonefly with two distinctive dark stripes on its tails. It is common in clean North American streams dur...

Trichoptera

Strong Casemaker Caddisfly

Odontocerum albicorne

A caddisfly that builds smooth, slightly curved sand-grain cases up to 20 mm long. Larvae inhabit cool, clean streams wi...

Ephemeroptera

Sulphur Mayfly

Ephemerella dorothea

A small pale yellow mayfly that produces reliable evening hatches on eastern North American streams. One of the most imp...

Megaloptera

Summer Fishfly

Chauliodes pectinicornis

A medium-sized fishfly emerging in summer with distinctive dark-veined wings and feathery antennae. Larvae develop in mu...

Odonata

Superb Jewelwing

Calopteryx amata

An East Asian damselfly with iridescent metallic green body and dark wings with blue-purple reflections. It inhabits cle...

Odonata

Swamp Darner

Austroaeschna parvistigma

A medium-sized brown and blue darner dragonfly found along shaded creeks in southeastern Australia. It has small stigmat...

Trichoptera

Tan Spotted Sedge

Hydropsyche instabilis

A medium-sized caddisfly whose larvae construct net retreats in fast-flowing upland streams. Adults are tan with spotted...

Coleoptera

Tansy Beetle

Chrysolina graminis

A stunning metallic green and copper beetle covered in tiny pits. It is one of the rarest beetles in Britain....

Lepidoptera

Tawny Emperor

Asterocampa clyton

A warm tawny-brown butterfly with dark bars and a row of small eyespots on the hindwing. Unlike most butterflies, it rar...

Diptera

Thyridanthrax Bee Fly

Thyridanthrax fenestratus

A bee fly with distinctive clear 'windows' in otherwise dark wings, found in sandy habitats across southern Europe. Larv...

Plecoptera

Tiny Winter Black Stonefly

Capnia nigra

A tiny black stonefly that emerges in late winter across European streams. It is among the earliest insects to appear ea...

Hemiptera

Toad Bug

Gelastocoris oculatus

A warty bug that closely resembles a tiny toad and hops along stream banks....

Ephemeroptera

Trico Mayfly

Tricorythodes stygiatus

A tiny mayfly that forms enormous morning spinner falls over calm streams and rivers. Males have distinctive white bodie...

Hymenoptera

Triplaris Ant

Pseudomyrmex triplarinus

A South American ant that inhabits the hollow stems of Triplaris trees in a mutualistic relationship. Workers swarm out ...

Coleoptera

Tropical Giant Whirligig Beetle

Dineutus indicus

A large whirligig beetle found on the surfaces of tropical ponds and slow rivers across South Asia. It forms impressive ...

Trichoptera

Trumpet-Net Caddis

Polycentropus flavomaculatus

A caddisfly whose larvae spin trumpet-shaped silk nets to trap prey. It is common throughout European rivers and lakes....

Diptera

Tsetse Fly (Forest)

Glossina palpalis

A major vector of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Unique among flies for giving live birth to a single larg...

Trichoptera

Tube-Making Caddis

Psychomyia flavida

A small caddisfly whose larvae build silken tubes cemented to rock surfaces in rivers. The tubes create a network of gal...

Odonata

Twin-spotted Spiketail

Cordulegaster maculata

A large, dark brown spiketail with paired yellow spots on each abdominal segment. It is the most common spiketail in eas...

Orthoptera

Two-spotted Grouse Locust

Paratettix mexicanus

A tiny pygmy grasshopper commonly found at the muddy margins of ponds and streams across the Americas. It often has two ...

Lepidoptera

Vampire Moth

Calyptra thalictri

A dull grey-brown moth with a uniquely evolved proboscis capable of piercing mammalian skin. Males occasionally drink bl...

Ephemeroptera

Velvet Ameletid Mayfly

Ameletus velox

A swift-swimming mayfly of headwater streams known for its velvety-textured nymphal cuticle. Adults emerge in early summ...

Lepidoptera

Violet Copper

Lycaena helle

A tiny butterfly whose males display a vivid violet-purple sheen over coppery-orange wings. It is one of Europe's rarest...

Trichoptera

Weighted Casemaker

Goera pilosa

A caddisfly that attaches heavy ballast stones to the sides of its case for stability. Larvae are found in fast-flowing ...

Coleoptera

West African Tiger Beetle

Megacephala megacephala

A large, nocturnal tiger beetle with a broad head and powerful mandibles. The body is dark brown to black with subtle me...

Megaloptera

Western Fishfly

Neohermes filicornis

A western North American fishfly with feathery antennae and brownish wings. Adults are attracted to lights near streams ...

Trichoptera

Western Grannom Caddis

Brachycentrus occidentalis

A widespread European caddisfly forming mass emergences in spring on alkaline rivers. Larvae build four-sided tapering c...

Ephemeroptera

Western Iron Dun

Epeorus longimanus

An iconic eastern mayfly that signals the start of spring fly-fishing season. Nymphs have only two tails and cling to ro...

Coleoptera

Whip-scorpion Rove Beetle

Paederus amazonicus

A brightly colored Amazonian rove beetle with orange and metallic blue markings typical of the Paederus genus. It thrive...

Coleoptera

Whirligig Diving Beetle

Macrogyrus oblongus

A large whirligig beetle that spins on the water surface of African rivers....

Ephemeroptera

White Miller Mayfly

Ephoron virgo

A white-bodied European mayfly that emerges in enormous synchronized swarms at dusk. Females are unique among mayflies i...

Ephemeroptera

White-Gloved Howdy

Isonychia sadleri

Named for the white tips of its forelegs resembling gloves. Nymphs are powerful swimmers found in fast-flowing Appalachi...

Odonata

White-legged Damselfly

Platycnemis pennipes

A pale, delicate damselfly with distinctively flattened white legs that the male waves during courtship displays. It pre...

Diptera

White-Stockinged Black Fly

Simulium vittatum

A widespread black fly species complex with distinctive white-banded legs. Larvae colonize almost any flowing water from...

Hemiptera

Willow Leafhopper

Idiocerus lituratus

A medium-sized leafhopper found on willow trees. Males produce vibrational signals transmitted through the plant to attr...

Lepidoptera

Willowherb Hawk Moth

Proserpinus proserpina

A compact hawk moth with olive-green forewings and bright orange hindwings with a dark border. It flies at dusk and is f...

Plecoptera

Winter Stonefly

Taeniopteryx burksi

A dark-colored stonefly that emerges during winter months when few other aquatic insects are active. Adults can be found...

Hymenoptera

Woolly Alder Sawfly

Eriocampa ovata

A small, dark sawfly whose larvae are covered in a white, woolly, waxy secretion. The larvae feed on the underside of al...

Orthoptera

Xya Pygmy Mole Cricket

Xya pfaendleri

A minute European pygmy mole cricket typically found on bare sandy ground near rivers. It is so small it is often confus...

Ephemeroptera

Yellow Drake Mayfly

Ephemera lutea

One of the largest mayflies in eastern North America with a pale greenish body. Nymphs live in burrows in the silty bott...

Ephemeroptera

Yellow May Dun

Heptagenia sulphurea

A bright sulfur-yellow mayfly common across European rivers during early summer. Its flat nymphs are adapted to fast-flo...

Plecoptera

Yellow Sally

Isoperla fulva

A bright yellow stonefly common in European upland streams. Nymphs are omnivorous, feeding on both algae and small inver...

Plecoptera

Yellow Sally Stonefly

Isoperla grammatica

A common European stonefly with a distinctive yellow body, emerging in late spring on clean rivers. It is a well-known s...

Plecoptera

Yellow Stonefly

Isoperla dicala

A bright yellow springfly found in clean Appalachian streams. Nymphs are predatory on small invertebrates in gravel subs...

Diptera

Yellow-legged Dance Fly

Empis livida

A medium-sized dance fly with yellowish legs, a grayish body, and a distinctive long proboscis. It forms conspicuous mat...

Trichoptera

Zebra Caddis

Macrostemum zebratum

A strikingly patterned net-spinning caddisfly of eastern North American rivers. Larvae build large silken capture nets i...