Buzz
Some bugs thrive only in the cleanest and purest waters, while others are perfectly content in muddy, polluted ponds. Researchers can use the types of insects in a water source to gauge its quality. You can also participate in this research through various citizen science projects.
To identify which insects live where, you’ll need to recognize the species. That’s where a comprehensive website called The Atlas of Common Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of North America comes in handy. (Unless you really enjoy bug photography, you might want to avoid clicking that link.)
This site includes an identification guide, where a few simple questions will direct you to the appropriate group of creatures. For example, if it has three tails, it belongs to the damselfly order. You can then explore detailed information about each species, with thousands of photographs to ensure no detail is overlooked. (Once again, unless you're a true bug enthusiast, you might want to skip those links.)
The website compares and explains the distinctions between similar species, offering an easier alternative to traditional field guides. It includes only the most common species, making it a practical resource for students, citizen scientists, or anyone curious about a bug found in a stream.
