Seasonal and diel periodicity in the drift of aquatic insects in a subtropical Florida stream

Abstract

SummaryA study of insect drift was conducted in a small, subtropical Florida stream from December 1971 to December 1972 to describe the seasonal and diel periodicity and to determine factors influencing behavioural drift. Paired samples of 2 h duration beginning 15 min after sunset were taken biweekly, and hourly collections over a 24‐h period were made quarterly. Benthic invertebrates were collected on each date from three habitats (riffle, pool and aquatic vegetation) and temperature, dissolved oxygen and current velocity were measured.Drift rates ranged from 100 to 2125 organisms/m2. h (0·03 to 0·49 organisms/m3) and were greatest in winter and early spring; minimal rates occurred in the summer months. The following six taxa, in order of relative abundance, comprised 87% of the drift: Baetis intercalaris, Cheumatopsyche sp., Stenonema exiguum, Chironomidae, Stenelmis fuscata and Simulium sp. Total drift showed no significant correlation with temperature, dissolved oxygen or mean benthic abundance and only slight correlation with current velocity (r=0·34). Stepwise, multiple regression analyses indicated that riffle density and mean size of drifting organisms were important factors influencing the drift rates of B. intercalaris (R=0·67) and S. exiguum (R=0·82); mean size, riffle density and water temperature influenced the drift of Cheumatopsyche sp. (R=0·78). The other taxa of drifting insects showed no significant correlation with the variables measured.Diel (24 h) studies of the major taxa showed marked differences in the periodicity, both within and between taxa, indicating the need for long‐term studies with frequent sample intervals in subtropical habitats. A new drift pattern for the family Chironomidae, alternans type, was observed for late instars of Polypedilum halterale.