The mayfly is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that has been around longer than the dinosaurs, serving as an indicator of clean and unpolluted water. But what happens after the mayfly nymph leaves the safety and familiarity of the water?

The true bug is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that will undergo incomplete metamorphosis involving the following phases: the egg, the nymph stage, and the adult stage.

The midge is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that goes through a complete metamorphosis, involving the complete four stages of the life cycle; the egg, larval, pupal, and the adult stage.

The aquatic earthworm is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that reproduces asexually and sexually. Today we will explore the mystery behind the aquatic earthworm and its life as a benthic dweller.

The Sow bug is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that will undergo incomplete metamorphosis involving the following phases: the egg, the nymphal stage, and the adult stage.

The roundworm is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate with a diverse and complex life that can last anywhere from two days to over a year.

The aquatic mite is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that will undergo incomplete metamorphosis involving the following phases: the egg, the nymphal stage, and the adult stage.

The hydra is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that will use its stinging cells to stun, entangle, or kill its prey before consuming it.

The clam is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that in most cases will undergo metamorphosis involving larval, juvenile and adult stages.

The leech is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that can be a carnivore, detritivore but most often, parasite.

A few months ago my class took a field trip to a small part of the Credit River to do a stream assessment. The workshop took place at The Riverwood Conservancy. I must say I was pretty excited.

The damselfly is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that will undergo incomplete metamorphosis involving the following phases: the egg, the nymphal stage, and the adult stage. The life cycle of a damselfly usually lasts one year and most of this time the damselfly is in the nymphal stage.

The aquatic moth is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that goes through a complete metamorphosis, involving the complete four stages of the life cycle; the egg, larval, pupal, and the adult stage. Today we will explore what happens after the aquatic moth pupa leaves the safety and familiarity of the water.

Hellgrammites are fascinating benthic macroinvertebrates that go through a complete metamorphosis, involving the complete four stages of the life cycle; egg, larval, pupal, and adult stage.

The no-see-um is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that goes througha complete metamorphosis, involving the complete four stages of the lifecycle; egg, larval, pupal, and adult phase.

The blackfly is a fascinating benthic macroinvertebrate that thrives in running clear, unpolluted water bodies. Today we will explore: What happens after the blackfly pupae leaves the safety and familiarity of the water?

I had just looked up from the bug cupped in the hands of one eager student when I saw something that immediately brought a smile to my face. Another young girl who, unlike most of the other students, was not wearing rubber boots had decided to join her classmates in the water despite having only running shoes.

A few days ago, I went with EcoSpark to a small stream in Unionville called Bruce Creek, which I hadn’t known was even there, to do stream assessments with people from my school - Milliken Mills High School.

Climate change and the recent severe weather events that have come with it are a growing concern around the world. One way scientists see the impacts of climate change is through environmental monitoring.

Welcome back to our tenth and final edition of Bug Blogs, celebrating Science Odyssey by showcasing benthic macroinvertebrates (bugs!) that we often find during our local stream studies program, Changing Currents.