Skip to main content

Insect Diversity, Life History, and Trophic Dynamics in Arctic Streams, with Particular Emphasis on Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae)

  • Chapter
Arctic and Alpine Biodiversity: Patterns, Causes and Ecosystem Consequences

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 113))

Abstract

Streams in Arctic Alaska typically have very low levels of inorganic nutrients, low levels of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM), no influence of woody debris, and high concentrations of dissolved organic matter due to leaching from the peat soils which they drain. Overall stream habitat diversity in tundra regions is fairly low, mainly consisting of first-fourth order streams flowing over boulder, cobble, and peat substrata. These habitats are not shaded, except for some dwarf willows along the riparian corridors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abdelnur OM (1968) The biology of some black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Alberta. Quaest Entomol 4:113–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alder PH (1986) Ecology and cytology of some Alberta black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae). Quaest Entomol 22:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Adler, PH, Kim KC (1986) The black flies of Pennsylvania (Simuliidae, Diptera): bionomics, taxonomy, and distribution. Penn State Agric Exp Stn Bull No 856, 87 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson JR (1987) Reproductive strategies and gonotrophic cycles of black flies. In: Kim KC, Merritt, RW (eds) Black flies: ecology, population management, and annotated world list. Penn State Univ Press, University Park, pp 276–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Benke AC, Van Arsdall TC Jr, Gillespie DM, Parrish FK (1984) Invertebrate productivity in a subtropical blackwater river: the importance of habitat and life history. Ecol Monogr 54:25–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boerger HJ, Clifford HF, Davies RW (1982) Density and microdistribution of chironomid larvae in an Alberta brown-water stream. Can J Zool 60: 913–920

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brittain JE (1982) Biology of mayflies. Annu Rev Entomol 27: 119–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burger JF (1987) Specialized habitat selection by black flies. In: Kim KC, Merritt RW (eds) Black flies: ecology, population management, and annotated world list. Penn State Univ Press, University Park, pp 129–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler MG (1982) A 7-year life cycle for two Chironomus species in arctic Alaskan ponds (Diptera: Chironomidae). Can J Zool 60: 58–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cibrowski JH, Craig DA, Fry K (1993) Can black fly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae) ingest dissolved organic matter?-Laboratory evidence. Bull N Am Benthol Soc 10(1): 83 (Abstr)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan CA, Oswood MW (1984) Spatial and seasonal associations of benthic macroinvertebrates and detritus in an Alaskan subarctic stream. Polar Biol 3: 211–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosskey RW (1990) The natural history of blackflies. Wiley, Chichester, 711 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummins KW (1974) Structure and function of stream ecosystems. BioScience 24: 631–641

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins KW, Klug MJ (1979) Feeding ecology of stream invertebrates. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 10:147–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cupp EW, Gordon AE (eds) (1983) Notes on the systematics, distribution, and bionomics of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the northeastern United States. Search Agric 25:1–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie DC (1986) An annotated hst of keys to the immature black flies of Alberta (Diptera: Simuliidae). Mem Entomol Soc Can 134: 1–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Currie DC, Craig DA (1987) Feeding strategies of larval black flies. In: Kim KC, Merritt RW (eds) Black flies: ecology, population management and annotated world list. Penn State Univ Press, University Park, pp 155–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Danks HV (1978) Modes of seasonal adaptation in the insects. I. Winter survival. Can Entomol 110:1167–1205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deegan LA, Peterson BJ (1992) Whole river fertilization stimulates fish production in an arctic tundra river. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 49: 1890–1901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downes JA (1971) The ecology of blood-sucking Diptera: an evolutionary perspective. In: Falhs AM (ed) Ecology and physiology of parasites. Adam Hilger, London pp 232–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards RT, Meyer JL (1987) Bacteria as a food source for black fly larvae in a blackwater river. J N Am Benthol Soc 6: 241–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher SG, Likens GW (1973) Energy flow in Bear Brook, New Hampshire: an integrative approach to stream ecosystem metabolism. Ecol Mongr 43: 421–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibeau G (1992) Grazer and nutrient limitation of algal biomass in an arctic tundra river. MS Thesis, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper PP (1981) Ecology of streams at high latitudes. In: Lock MA, Wilhams A (eds) Perspectives in running water ecology. Plenum Press, New York, pp 313–337

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hauer FR, Benke AC (1991) Rapid growth of snag-dwelhng chironomids in a blackwater river: the influence of temperature and discharge. J N Am Benthol Soc 10:154–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hershey AE (1985) Littoral chironomid communities in an arctic Alaskan lake. Holarct Ecol 8:39–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Hershey AE (1987) Tubes and foraging behavior in larval Chironomidae: imphcations for predator avoidance. Oecologia 73: 236–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hershey AE, Dodson SL (1987) Predator avoidance by Cricotopus: cyclomorphosis and the importance of being big and hairy. Ecology 68(4): 913–920

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hershey AE, Hiltner AL (1988) Effects of caddisfly activity on black fly density: interspecific interactions outweigh food limitation. J N Am Benthol Soc 7:188–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hershey AE, Hiltner AL, Hullar MAJ, Miller MC, Vestal JR, Lock MA, Rundle S, Peterson BJ (1988) Nutrient influence on a stream grazer: Orthocladius microcommunities track nutrient input. Ecology 69: 1383–1392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hershey AE, Bowden WB, Deegan LA, Hobbie JE, Peterson BJ, Kipphut GW, Kling GW, Lock MA, Merritt RW, Miller MC, Vestal JR, Schuldt JA (1994) The Kuparuk River: a long term study of biological and chemical processes in an arctic river. In: Milner A, Oswood M (eds) Alaskan freshwaters. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter FF (1990) Ecological, morphological and behavioral correlates to cytospecies in the Simulium venustum/verecundum complex. P Thesis, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobi DI, Benke AC (1991) Life histories and abundance patterns of snag-dwelling mayflies in a blackwater coastal plain river. J N Am Benthol Soc 10: 372–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kling GW, Kipphut GW, Miller MC (1991) Arctic lakes and streams as gas conduits to the atmosphere: implications for tundra carbon budgets. Science 251: 298–301

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lake DJ, Burger JF (1983) Larval distribution and succession of outlet-breeding blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in New Hampshire. Can J Zool 61: 2519–2533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindegaard-Petersen C (1972) The chironomid fauna in a lowland stream in Denmark compared with other European streams. Verh Int Verein Limnol 18: 726–729

    Google Scholar 

  • Lock MA, Wallace RR, Costerton JW, Ventullo RM, Charlton SE (1984) River epilithon: toward a structural-functional model. Oikos 42: 10–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackay RJ, Wiggins GB (1979) Ecological diversity in Trichoptera. Annu Rev Entomol 24: 185–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCreadie JW, Colbo MH (1991) Spatial distribution patterns of larval cytotypes of the Simulium venustum/verecundum complex (Diptera: Simuliidae) on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland: factors associated with occurrence. Can J Zool 69: 2651–2659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merritt RW, Cummins KW (eds) (1984) An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America. Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, IA

    Google Scholar 

  • Merritt RW, Ross DH, Peterson BV (1978) Larval ecology of some lower Michigan black flies (Diptera: Simuhidae) with keys to the immature stages. Great Lakes Entomol 4: 34–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer JL (1990) A blackwater perspective on riverine ecosystems. Bioscience 40: 643–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller MC, Stout JR, Alexander V (1986) Effects of a controlled under-ice oil spill on invertebrates of an arctic and subarctic stream. Environ Pohut 42: 99–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Naiman RJ, Sedell JR (1979) Benthic organic matter as a function of stream order in Oregon. Arch Hydrobiol 87:404–422

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver DR (1968) Adaptations of arctic Chironomidae. Ann Zool Fenn 5: 111–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsson TI (1981) Overwintering of benthic macroinvertebrates in ice and frozen sediment in a North Swedish river. Holarct Ecol 4: 161–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Oswood MW, Everett KR, Schell DM (1989) Some physical and chemical characteristics of an arctic beaded stream. Holarct Ecol 12: 290–295

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson BJ, Hobbie JE, Corliss TL (1986) Carbon flow in a tundra stream ecosystem. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 43: 1259–1270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson BJ, Deegan L, Helfrich J, Hobbie J, Hullar M, Moller B, Ford T, Hershey A, Hiltner A, Kipphut G, Lock MA, Fiebig DM, McKinley V, Miller MC, Vestal JR, Ventullo R, Volk G (1993) Biological responses of a tundra river to fertilization. Ecology 74: 653–672

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson BV (1970) The Prosimulium of Canada and Alaska. Mem Entomol Soc Can 69: 1–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pruess KP, Peterson BV (1987) Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Nebraska: an annotated hst. J Kansas Entomol Soc 60: 528–534

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson JS, Mackay RJ (1991) Lake outlets and the distribution of filter feeders: an assessment of hypotheses. Oikos 62: 370–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg DM, Wiens AP, Saether OA (1977) Life histories of Cricotopus (Cricotopus) bincinctus and C. (C.) mackenziensis (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the Fort Simpson area, Northwest Territories. J Fish Res Board Can 34: 247–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross DH, Merritt RW (1987) Factors affecting larval black fly distributions and population dynamics. In: Kim KC, Merritt RW (eds) Black flies: ecology, population management and annotated world list. Penn State Univ Press, University Park, pp 90–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Schell DM (1983) Carbon-13 and carbon-14 abundances in Alaskan aquatic organisms: delayed production from peat in arctic food webs. Science 219: 1068–1071

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smock LA, Gihnsky E, Stoneburner DL (1985) Macroinvertebrate production in a southeastern United States blackwater stream. Ecology 66:1491–1503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sommerman KM, Sailer RI, Esselbaugh CO (1955) Biology of Alaskan black flies (Simuliidae, Diptera). Ecol Monogr 25: 345–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stephens GC (1982) The role of uptake of organic solutes in nutrition of marine organisms. Am Zool 22:611–620

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ulfstrand S (1968) Life cycles of benthic insects in Lapland streams (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera Simuliidae). Oikos 19: 167–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vannote RL, Minshall GW, Cummins KW, Sedell JR, Cushing CE (1980) The river continuum concept. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 37: 130–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace JB, Merritt RW (1980) Filter-feeding ecology of aquatic insects. Annu Rev Entomol 25: 103–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace JB, Ross DH, Meyer JL (1982) Seston and dissolved organic carbon dynamics in a southern Appalachian stream. Ecology 63: 824–838

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler J, Hershey AE (1992) The role of Rhyacophila prédation in an arctic stream: resuhs from experimental stream microcosms and field sampling studies. Bull N Am Benthol Soc 9: 103

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiley M (1978) The biology of some Michigan trout stream chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae). Mich Acad 11: 193–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Wotton RS (1987) The ecology of lake-outlet black flies. In Kim KC, Merritt RW (eds) Black flies: ecology, population management, and annotated world list. Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, pp 146–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Wotton RS (1988) Dissolved organic material and trophic dynamics. Bioscience 38: 172–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wotton RS (1991) Particulate and dissolved organic material as food. In: Wotton RS (ed) The biology of particles in aquatic systems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 213–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Wotton RS (1992) Animals that exploit lake outlets. Freshwater Forum 2: 62–67

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hershey, A.E., Merritt, R.W., Miller, M.C. (1995). Insect Diversity, Life History, and Trophic Dynamics in Arctic Streams, with Particular Emphasis on Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae). In: Chapin, F.S., Körner, C. (eds) Arctic and Alpine Biodiversity: Patterns, Causes and Ecosystem Consequences. Ecological Studies, vol 113. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78966-3_20

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78966-3_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-78968-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-78966-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics