How to Browse Macroinvertebrate Taxa on Macroinvertebrates.org

Updated

Macroinvertebrates.org organizes its collection as a browsable taxonomic tree, so you can reach a specific group either by drilling down through phylum → class → order → family → genus, or by jumping straight to a list or index. Use the Insect Order View when you already know the order you want, the Full Taxa List or Full Collection when you want to scan everything, and the Phyla Index when you are starting from a phylum other than insects. The Identification Key is the better entry point when you don't yet know what you're looking at.

Navigation options and when to use each

Entry point Best for What it gives you
Insect Order View You know the order (e.g., Ephemeroptera, Diptera) A shortcut into insect orders without walking the full tree
Full Collection Browsing everything visually The complete set of taxa as a collection
Full Taxa List Scanning names systematically A flat list of taxa you can read top to bottom
Phyla Index Starting from a non-insect phylum Entry by phylum, e.g., Annelida
Identification Key You have a specimen but no ID A decision path toward a taxon

Walking the hierarchy

The site nests each group under its parent rank, and each level is labeled with its rank name in quotes. A typical path looks like this:

  • Phylum Annelida ("Annelids")
    • Class Hirudinea ("Leeches")
      • Order Rhynchobdellida
        • Family Glossiphoniidae
          • Genus Placobdella

At any level you can choose View to open the next rank down. So to reach the leech genus Placobdella, you go Annelida → Hirudinea → Rhynchobdellida → Glossiphoniidae → Placobdella.

The same pattern holds for insects. Under Arthropoda ("Arthropods"), you'll find classes such as Insecta ("Insects") and Collembola ("Semi-aquatic Springtails"). Within Insecta, orders are split by life stage where relevant — for example, Coleoptera appears twice, once as "Adult Beetles" and once as "Larval Beetles," each with its own family and genus listings.

Example: locating a family and genus

Suppose you want the riffle beetle genus Stenelmis:

  1. Open Arthropoda → Insecta → Coleoptera ("Adult Beetles").
  2. Select Elmidae (View).
  3. Choose the genus Stenelmis from the list, which also includes Ancyronyx variegatus, Dubiraphia, Macronychus glabratus, Microcylloepus, and Optioservus.

If you were after a mayfly instead, the path runs Ephemeroptera ("Mayflies") → Heptageniidae → one of Epeorus, Heptagenia, Leucrocuta, Maccaffertium, Rhithrogena, or Stenacron.

Combining browsing with the Identification Key

Browsing assumes you already have a rough idea of the group. When you don't, start with the Identification Key to narrow a specimen down, then use the taxonomic tree to confirm the family or genus and read its page. The two work together: the key gets you to a candidate, and the hierarchy shows you where that candidate sits relative to similar taxa.

Supporting resources

Alongside the browsing views, the site provides Training Materials, a Practice Quiz, a Glossary, a Quick Start Guide, a Video Tutorial, and FAQs. The PocketMacros App is also listed for field use. If a page or link misbehaves, there is a Report Site Issues option, and a General Inquiry contact for other questions.