170 



WET GROUND COMMUNITIES 



There are also a number of insects which live upon the vegetation 

 and never go into the water. These are the blue and yellow moth 

 (Scepsis fulvicollis), which is most characteristic, flies which breed in the 

 water, such as horseflies (Tabanidae) (140), Tetanocera, etc., also midges, 

 mosquitoes, dragon-flies, damsel-flies, May-flies, etc. These are asso- 

 ciated with grasshoppers, such as Stenobothrus, Xiphidium, and various 



Permanent Water Marsh and Its Inhabitants 

 Fig. 116. — General view of an open bulrush marsh at Wolf Lake. 

 Fig. 117. — Similar but closer view of a marsh at Nippersink Lake, showing the 



yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthoccphalus xanthocephalus Bonap.) perched on the 



bulrushes. Photo by T. C. Stephens. 



bugs and beetles which belong to drier places but which alight on the 

 vegetation above the water. These will be discussed in connection with 

 low prairie communities. 



The birds deserve especial attention (108, 141). The pied billed 

 grebe, the black tern, and coot are especially aquatic. The grebe 

 builds a nest from decayed floating rushes; its bottom is usually wet and 

 the eggs commonly lie in moisture. The black tern builds a nest of 



