Leptodora (giant water flea)
Leptodora kindtii · Aquatic life
Under the microscope · Photo: Dmitry Kulakov / CC BY
Also called Leptodora kindtii, Glass water flea, Predatory cladoceran
How to identify Leptodora (giant water flea)
- The largest water flea, up to about 18 mm long
- Almost completely see through except a single dark eye
- Long body with large antennae and a forked tail
- Grasping legs at the front used to catch prey
Similar species
Phantom midge larvae are also clear but have dark air sacs; spiny water flea has a long barbed tail spine.
Profile
| Season | Summer, hatching from resting eggs in spring and peaking in July and August. |
|---|---|
| Starts | About 55 to 60 F |
| Light | Moves deeper by day and up at night |
| Depth | Open water |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Females clone themselves through summer; resting eggs made in fall are released without a saddle case (ephippium), survive winter on the bottom and hatch in spring into a small larva, unlike other water fleas |
| Habitat | Open water of lakes and reservoirs and large permanent ponds. |
Why it matters in a lake
A native predator of other water fleas and copepods. Hard to see in the water but a favorite food of many fish.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Occasional
- Oregon: Occasional
- Wyoming: Occasional
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Branchiopoda |
| Order | Haplopoda |
| Family | Leptodoridae |
| Scientific name | Leptodora kindtii |
Daphnia (water flea)
Bosmina (snout water flea)
Ceriodaphnia (small water flea)
Chydorus (round water flea)
Simocephalus (hanging water flea)
Diaphanosoma (clear water flea)
Moina (lagoon water flea)
Alona (box water flea)
Scapholeberis (surface water flea)
Sida (sticky water flea)Need a hand?
Found it in your lake?
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Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596