Polyphemus (big eye water flea)
Polyphemus pediculus · Aquatic life
Under the microscope · Photo: Ivan Sinkov / CC BY
Also called Polyphemus pediculus, Predatory cladoceran
How to identify Polyphemus (big eye water flea)
- Small predatory water flea about 1 to 2 mm
- Huge eye fills most of the head
- Short shell that holds only the brood pouch
- Short tail spine; often seen in swarms near the surface
Similar species
Spiny water flea is much larger with a very long barbed tail spine.
Profile
| Season | Summer. |
|---|---|
| Light | Drawn toward light; hunts by sight near the surface |
| Depth | Upper water near shore |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Females clone themselves through summer; in fall they make resting eggs that are released without a saddle case (ephippium) and survive winter on the bottom |
| Habitat | Shallows and edges of ponds and lakes, especially near plants. |
Why it matters in a lake
A native predator of rotifers and small zooplankton and a food for young fish.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Occasional
- Oregon: Occasional
- Wyoming: Occasional
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Branchiopoda |
| Order | Onychopoda |
| Family | Polyphemidae |
| Scientific name | Polyphemus pediculus |
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