Abstract
The growth of aquatic insects in a small mountain stream was studied with emphasis on water temperature. Growth of the five dominant species was examined in relation to degree-days. This measure accounts for time and the minimum temperature necessary for insect growth. All species showed reduced specific growth rates with lower temperatures, but some (Ephemerella dorothea, Leuctra tenella, Neumoura wui) did not stop growing at even the lowest water temperatures. Both Diplectrona modesta and Paraleptophlebia assimilis had minimum growth temperatures. Studies demonstrated that the growth of stream insects is directly proportional to the number of degree-days experienced by a population.
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Markarian, R.K. A study of the relationship between aquatic insect growth and water temperature in a small stream. Hydrobiologia 75, 81–95 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006565
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006565