They are relatively easy to sample and identify. The short life cycles and high movement of many species may provide reliable and rapid evidence of the return of favorable water quality after a pollution event. The combined use of benthic invertebrate bioindicators and traditional stream water quality monitoring allows a comprehensive means of assessing water quality pollution from nonpoint sources within forested watersheds. Benthic invertebrates are small animals that live on the bottom of a pond, lake, stream, or river for at least part of their lives. Consult the references at the end of this publication for more detailed information on identification and on the biology and ecology of these or other invertebrates.
Adults are terrestrial, meaning they live on land.
Photo courtesy of Howell Daly. Photo courtesy of Ralph Charlton. Like mayflies, most stonefly nymphs are flattened. Adults are terrestrial. Adults of both groups are terrestrial.