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At this point you can closely examine the mud, plants, air and water
for small insect life. The emergent plants are cattails, bulrushes,
and
water plantains. On the surface there may be a layer of green
duckweeds (not the same as a scum of nuisance algae
--
see sign 30).
When not covered
by plants, the water is usually clear enough near this
outlet
to view small animals
swimming in the water. When not overtaxed, the marsh can
help clean up muddy or
over-fertilized water. At the main
inlet
(sign 16), the water may
be muddier.
Beetles
- Hard smooth
outer wings meet in straight line; Jaws; J Water (Large & small
worm-like swimming larvae; some large and small streamlined adults
take a silvery bubble of air with them under water). On Water
(Silvery convex Whirligigs). Above Water (Golden beetles, fireflies,
Ladybird beetles).
Bugs
-
Hard or
soft; hive slender proboscis; no larval form:
In
Water
(Large and small streamlined adults; the water boatmen hive a pair
of oar-like
legs and come up for air at intervals).
On
Water
(Waterstriders (long legged); also tiny bugs running on
duckweed).
Above
Water
(Tiny
plant lice and leafhoppers; several larger bugs have wings crossed
over on back).
Flies
-
Large eyes and only 2 wings; while bees have smaller eyes & 4 wings:
In
Water
(Many small worm-like and wriggling forms in water, mud and
plant stems.
Some come up for air). On Water (Tiny flies running on
duckweed; midges leave floating pupil cases).
Above
Water
(Deer flies,
Hover flies,
Assassin flies, Mosquitoes, Midges).
Dragonflies and Damselflies
-
Slender; see sign 15: In
Water
(Ferocious "nymphs", lurking in
waterweeds or
under debris, up to 1" long). On Water (Emerging adults leave
nymph skeletons clinging to stems). Above Water (Flying
adults of many colors and sizes).
Caddisflies
- Adults moth-like, nocturnal with long antennae: In Water
(Small larvae make tubular houses of plant matter or stones, crawl
on bottom or on plants). Above Water (Small, nocturnal, with
long antennae).
Snails
- Several types glide along on plants or underside of water;
they feed extensively on plants and debris.
Leeches
-
Flit, Worm-like, attached to plants or swimming like snakes; mostly
parasitize frogs and turtles.
Clams
- Small or large, in mud; young may attach to fish when very
small.
Spiders
- Wolf and fishing spiders on surface; crab spiders, beautiful
orb weavers and others on emergent plants, especially toward fill.
Crustaceans
- Water fleas, copepods, seed shrimps, etc. in water - tiny
swimming specks, often very abundant, mostly 1/32-1/4 inch
long.
- Scud shrimp in water - about 1/4 inch long - scoot about when
disturbed.
- Crayfish near or on shore; some build chimneys in shore mud.
Most of these groups of invertebrates include both plant-feeders and
animal-eaters. The larger ones in turn feed fish, frogs, birds and
raccoons. Hidden from view is a still more varied world of plants
and animals requiring a microscope with 100X – 450X magnification:
The Plankton.
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