Shoutout to the Invertebaes!

Send this lovebug to your invertebae this Valentines Day!

At HHL we love our invertebrates! They are the foundation of many of our ongoing research projects, including Lauren’s MSc. in the Grand River watershed, Dante and Nolan’s BSc. in the Sydenham River watershed, our adventures across Pelee Island, across Windsor-Essex as well as muses for illustrations by HHL researcher, Dante Bresolin.

Illustration by Salma Al Ghazaly

Inspired by Dante Bresolin

Illustrated are BAEtidae (get it?!), small minnow mayfly nymphs which prefer fast flowing waters and are usually found in erosional or depositional habitats. They are strong swimmers because their body is streamlined and minnow-like, and they eat by scraping algae and periphyton that’s found on rocks and detritus. These little guys make our heart skip a beat when they are present in streams and lakes because they are indicators of a healthy stream! Invertebrates like these are important as bioindicators and are a common food-source for both life in water and on land.