Content tagged with "Aquatic Invertebrates"

Chinese Mystery Snail

Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata

The Chinese mystery snail is an invasive species quickly taking over urban waters throughout the state. These Asian snails are popular with aquarium hobbyists, and some people appreciate them as food.

Coldwater Crayfish

Orconectes eupunctus

This stout crayfish has a very localized distribution in the Eleven Point and Spring River drainages. It has a blue-green head and pincers and a dark, rust-brown carapace. It is an imperiled species.

Crane Flies

There are over 500 species of crane flies in North America.

Many people are frightened of crane flies, which resemble huge mosquitoes. But crane flies don’t bite or suck blood. In fact, most of them don’t have mouths at all!

Damselflies

Photo of an adult damselfly on a twig next to water.

Species in the suborder Zygoptera

Like their close relatives the dragonflies, damselflies have long bodies, two pairs of long, membranous, finely veined wings, and predaceous aquatic larvae that have extendible mouthparts. Damselflies typically hold their wings together, above the body.

Deertoe

Truncilla truncata

A common mussel in some areas, deertoe have decorative green markings.

Devil Crayfish

Cambarus diogenes

This powerfully built crayfish is usually a uniform olive or tan, without obvious blotches or spots. Occasional individuals are blue, with yellowish stripes on the abdomen and bright red outlining many body parts. It is found throughout much of the eastern United States.

Ditch Fencing Crayfish

Faxonella clypeata

This small, tan crayfish has a pattern of paired blackish dashes along the surface of the carapace and abdomen. The pincers are narrow and cylindrical, with short, abruptly tapering fingers. Sometimes called the shield crayfish, in our state, it's found only only in the southeast, from Ripley County to southern Bollinger County.