Water Quality Bugs
This is a test on the macroinvertebrates that are used to measure water quality.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Which of the following macroinvertebrates is in Class I, the most pollution sensitive?
- A.
Damselfly
- B.
Stonefly
- C.
Deer/horse fly
- D.
Leech
Correct Answer
B. StoneflyExplanation
Stoneflies are considered to be in Class I, the most pollution sensitive, because they require clean and well-oxygenated water to survive. They are highly sensitive to pollution and their presence indicates good water quality. Damselflies, deer/horse flies, and leeches are less sensitive to pollution and can tolerate a wider range of water conditions.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which type of snail is more intolerant of pollution?
- A.
Gilled snails
- B.
Air Breathing snail
- C.
Their tolerance is the same
- D.
There is no such thing as gilled snails
Correct Answer
A. Gilled snailsExplanation
Gilled snails are more intolerant of pollution compared to air breathing snails. This is because gilled snails rely on their gills to extract oxygen from the water, and pollution can reduce the oxygen levels in the water, making it difficult for them to survive. On the other hand, air breathing snails have adapted to breathe air directly, allowing them to tolerate polluted water to some extent. Therefore, gilled snails are more sensitive to pollution than air breathing snails.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which macroinvertebrate nymph is up to 2 inches long, has large eyes, a large round abdomen, six legs, and is class 2 or moderately sensitive to pollution?
- A.
Scud
- B.
Damselfly
- C.
Caddisfly
- D.
Dragonfly
Correct Answer
D. DragonflyExplanation
Dragonflies are macroinvertebrate nymphs that can grow up to 2 inches long. They have large eyes, a large round abdomen, and six legs. Dragonflies are also classified as class 2 or moderately sensitive to pollution.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which aquatic macroinvertebrate is up to 1 inch long, has six hooked legs on the upper third of its body, is class I, and may have the lower part of its body in a case covered in sticks, rocks or leaves?
- A.
Caddisfly larva
- B.
Netspinner larva
- C.
Stonefly larva
- D.
Tubifex
Correct Answer
A. Caddisfly larvaExplanation
The correct answer is caddisfly larva. Caddisfly larvae are aquatic macroinvertebrates that can grow up to 1 inch long. They have six hooked legs on the upper third of their body, which they use for locomotion and feeding. They are classified as class I organisms, indicating their high sensitivity to pollution. Additionally, caddisfly larvae are known to construct cases made of sticks, rocks, or leaves, in which they live and protect themselves.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which aquatic macroinvertebrate is not an insect, has a soft, flat body with an arrow-shaped head with two eyespots?
- A.
Leech
- B.
Flatworm or planaria
- C.
Black fly larva
- D.
Scud
Correct Answer
B. Flatworm or planariaExplanation
A flatworm or planaria is a type of aquatic macroinvertebrate that is not an insect. It has a soft, flat body with an arrow-shaped head and two eyespots. This distinguishes it from the other options, which are all insects or insect larvae. Leeches have a segmented body and suckers at both ends, black fly larvae have a worm-like body with a distinct head and thorax, and scuds have a shrimp-like appearance. Therefore, the correct answer is flatworm or planaria.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following aquatic macroinvertebrates is NOT is the class 3, moderately tolerant group: midge, water mite, leeches, flatworm, water penny, blackfly
Correct Answer
water pennyExplanation
The water penny is in the most pollution sensitive group, class I.Rate this question:
- 7.
What body part is the best way to tell a damselfly larva from a dragonfly larva?
Correct Answer
tailExplanation
The damselflies have three characteristic paddle-shaped "tails" (actually extra gills), whereas a dragonfly has no long "tails" sticking out the back.Rate this question:
- 8.
This class II bug resembles its land relative, the roly-poly.
Correct Answer
aquatic sowbugExplanation
This class II bug resembles its land relative, the roly-poly. The correct answer is "aquatic sowbug."Rate this question:
- 9.
The crane fly larva, the horse fly larva, the leech and the aquatic worm are similar to each other in that they all lack prolegs as well as legs.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true because all four organisms mentioned - the crane fly larva, the horse fly larva, the leech, and the aquatic worm - do not possess prolegs (fleshy, leg-like structures found on the abdomen of some insect larvae) nor do they have true legs. This similarity in the absence of both prolegs and legs is what makes the statement true.Rate this question:
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- 10.
A pond is sampled for macroinvertebrates, and 3 blackfly larvae, 10 water striders, 12 mosquito larvae, 5 leeches, 2 backswimmers and 1 scud are found. This part of the water test indicates that the water is virtually free of pollution.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
There is likely some pollution in the water as no organisms from class 1 are present, and only one from class 2. All the other organisms found are pollution tolerant to at least some degree (class 3 - class 5).Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Oct 31, 2011Quiz Created by
Lwalkup