Creepy-crawly bioindicators
Our Adams County micro-flora foray also included some very cool micro-fauna. Searching under rocks and logs on stream edges is just part of the deal when you hike with naturalists. Many interesting species lurk underwater, or at the waters edge.
We found a Common Stonefly larvae, one of the species used as a bioindicator for good water quality. Ecologist often test for "EPT" Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies) and Trichoptera (caddisflies). These species are bioindicators of a good quality stream.
So don't think of them as scary creepy-crawlies, these aquatic invertebrates are important water quality indicators we should admire and respect!
