alderfly
Larva eats underwater
An alderfly is a dark-winged insect found near streams and ponds, where its larvae develop in bottom sediments.
The adults are weak fliers with large, roof-like wings held tent-fashion over the body.
Despite the name, alderflies have no special connection to alder trees—they simply favor similar waterside habitats.
Six-legged invertebrate
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- entomologyStudy of insects
- dobsonflyLarge mandible-bearing winged insect
Limbs for flight
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- mandiblesPaired arthropod mouthparts
- veinsBlood-return tubes
- membraneThin tissue sheet
exoskeleton · chitin · transparent · venation · soft-bodied · dark · smoky · folded
Relating to riverbanks
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- bioindicatorSpecies showing ecosystem health
aquatic · freshwater · stream · river · watershed · water quality · benthic · sediment
insect
Six-legged invertebrate
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- entomologyStudy of insects
dobsonfly · fishfly · order · family · genus · species · classification
wings
Limbs for flight
membrane · exoskeleton · chitin · transparent · venation · soft-bodied · dark · smoky · folded · segmented
riparian
Relating to riverbanks
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- biodiversityRange of life forms
bioindicator · aquatic · freshwater · stream · river · watershed · water quality · benthic · sediment · ecosystem
larvae
Immature metamorphosing creatures
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- nymphNature spirit or larva
- pupaInsect's resting stage
instar · molting · gills · predatory · crawling · pupation · soil · emergence · adult · mating