Pond Insects
If you have a pond or going to create one, then it will attract many pond insects. There are many types that could visit or live in and colonize your pond, and over a life time you may never see 80% of them.
Most insects are no danger to the fish as they mainly live off other insects that fall into the pond, some types will also feed off fish food pellets that starts to break up, and fish flakes.
Other types of pond insects don’t just fly in as adults, but can live all of their nymphal and part of their adult lives underwater.
There are some larger insects that can be a danger to the very young fish, amphibians and small creatures.
Below are some of the aquatic insects you may encounter through the life of your pond.
The back Swimmer is similar to the Water Boatman, it has middle and back legs covered with long hairs, and this helps them to swim, strangely on their backs.
The caddis fly larvae live in streams and ponds, when in adulthood they generally live on land. Because of their strange feeding habits some feed off dead leaves and decaying matter, while others feed off plants and organisms. They are a good source of food for trout and other fish.
The Crane Fly Larvae live in ponds, lakes and marshes; and get oxygen by moving to the surface of the water and are a good source of food for fish. They are flying insects when they reach adulthood.
The Damsel Fly is a smaller version of the Dragon Fly but more delicate. It starts its life as a nymph in ponds and marshes, when it reaches adulthood it is a fast flying insect.
The Dragon Fly is the same as the Damsel Fly, apart from it's size,it is much larger.They also have a wonderful array of colours.
The Giant Water Bug gets oxygen through a breathing tube that reaches up
to the water surface. They have three pairs of jointed legs, the front pair
have a modified hook for catching and holding prey.
Giant Water Bugs will attack prey that are 20 times larger than them.
The May Fly has a very short life, while a nymph it absorbs oxygen from water and feed on live and decaying vegetation, not long after adulthood it mates and then dies. Trout and other fish find it a good source for food.
The Stone Fly nymph is normayl found in fast moving streams or cold ponds; they feed on decaying plants and small macro invertebrates. And is a good food source for fish. In adulthood they become small flying insects.
The water Strider lives in ponds and streams, they can walk on water and pick up vibrations from other organisms, their oxygen supply is absorbed through holes in their skin surface.
The Water Boatman nymph lives in ponds and streams and feed on decaying matter and other animals. They rely on oxygen from the air which makes them quite hardy and can tolerate pollution and poor environments.
The Midges larvae live in the sediment at the bottom of ponds and feed on decaying matter, micro organisms and other larvae.They are a good source of food for fish.
When in adulthood they become small flying insects.
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