Brine fly (Ephydra gracilis)larvae grow in profusion on the stromatolites in the Great Salt Lake of Utah. The adults emerge and form massive swarms along the shoreline and on the surface film, thus becoming part of the neuston community. The photo here was taken in the calm waters of the Antelope Island Marina.


More information on brine flies in the Great Salt Lake is available: Biostrome communities and mercury and selenium bioaccumulation in the Great Salt Lake(Utah,USA). Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh,Jodi Gardberg,Caleb Izdepski. 2011. Science of the Total Environment. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.07.027


Photo: 20 August 2011


Limnology - The study of inland waters