The aquatic flies (Diptera) are the largest group of aquatic insects and one of the most diverse. World wide there are almost 120,000 described species.
For the present time this key will deal with the larvae of diptera, avoiding the adults, since this is of greatest value for water quality evaluation and stream collectors. For most people, the most difficult group of Diptera to key to species is the family Chironomidae (requires clearing the head capsule and examination with a compound microscope). These will be treated to the sub-family level with reference to Epler (2001), Simpson and Bode (1980) and Bolton (2012) for keys to species.
This webpage is created and maintained by Don Dean, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Entomology, The Ohio State University. Please contact me with comments, questions about "Stoneflies of Ohio" or to report new findings. troutman4209@gmail.edu
