I would like to collect certain aquatic insects - non biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) in particular species of Cricotopus. Sagehen Creek is the type locality for Cricotopus Nostocicladius species. I would like to sample larvae from the Creek by hand-sorting small amounts of algae and organic matter from stream cobbles, or any aquatic macrophytes. In particular, I hope to find cyanobacterial colonies of Nostoc that harbor the Nostococladius larvae inside. I will collect cast, floating pupal skins of midges that have already emerged by skimming the surface of the water with a shallow pan and a sieve, working in eddy areas of the stream. I hope to collect some adult flies by sweeping with an aerial net in riparian vegetation, and using a light trap and a white sheet at dusk, so I may selectively collect Cricotopus adults. I will bring a stereomicroscope to sort the midges, so use of a little table space would be needed for that. Otherwise my field work would be pretty self-contained for a couple days visit.

Approved