The 4th edition of this book combines the most up to date taxonomic treatment of North American aquatic insects. Almost all aquatic and semi-aquatic insect nymphs and larvae can be keyed to genus. Adults of all orders and pupae of Trichoptera, Diptera, Culicidae, Simuliidae, and Chironomidae are keyed in the taxonomic chapters.
The book represents the most complete summary of ecological information on North American aquatic and semi-aquatic insects available anywhere. It compiles the only exhaustive summary of functional feeding group designations available. Water quality tolerance values (from US EPA) have been added to the ecological tables. With a bibliography of nearly 6,000 references, it is the most thorough compilation of the literature on the subject. The index, which has achieved critical acclaim, allows terms and taxonomic names to be located rapidly. Entire chapters on morphology, respiratory adaptations, habitat, life history and behavior, sampling, biomonitoring, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships provide the background for informed use of the taxonomic material.
New features in the 4th edition include a glossary (of special use in conjunction with the keys), a center section of actual color photographs representing most families (to aid in general identifications) of aquatic insects, and an interactive CD that provides a well-illustrated key to the orders plus habitat photos
The CD works with both Windows (up to XP) and Macintosh (OS X 10.1-10.3).