Introduction to this blog site

The purpose of this website is to provide weekly reports on the benthic macroinvertebrates (e.g. mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, caddis larvae) being found throughout the course of the year in some of the streams in central Virginia -- specifically, those in the Rivanna River watershed.   Of special interest is Buck Mt. Creek, since the insects found in this stream are fairly representative for this area.   Phenology will be one of the focuses of this report, noting when a particular family of insect (e.g. large winter stoneflies [Taeniopterygidae]) first appear in our streams: in some cases the interest will be in the first appearance of a particular genus (thus for large winter stoneflies, we must distinguish between the genera Taeniopteryx and Strophopteryx.

I am an amateur entomologist -- and fly fisherman -- with an avid interest the changing insect life in our streams.
I have my own microscope for close analysis of the nymphs and larvae I find; I also photograph samples, both at the stream with a macro lens and at home with the use of my microscope.  A complete file of the photographs I have taken is online at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aquaticinsects_of_central_virginia/.

Comments of all sorts are invited.  Comments from those doing similar work in other parts of Virginia -- or in other states -- will be especially welcome.  My hope is that other amateur stream entomologists and those actively involved in stream monitor programs will find this information interesting and useful.