Abstract |
The larvae of twenty species of aquatic insects (Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) and the scud (Amphipoda) were exposed to high water temperatures, low dissolved oxygen concentrations, and low pH to determine their tolerance of these three environmental factors. The temperature at which 50% of the specimens died after 96 hours exposure ranged from 11.7C for the mayfly, Cinygmula par Eaton, to 32.6C for the snipe fly, Atherix variegata Walker. To maintain a well-rounded diversified population of cold water aquatic insects, maximum temperatures, minimum dissolved oxygen levels, and the pH range should not exceed the requirements of cold water fishes, such as trout and salmon. (Modified author abstract) |