spiny water flea
bythotrephes longimanus latin

The spiny water flea, is causing serious concerns in the lakes of Canada.

The spiny water flea preys on smaller planktonic organisms.

Invasion by the spiny water flea has also correlated with ecological changes in the Great Lakes.

Lists general information and resources for Spiny Water Flea.

The newest threat is the spiny water flea, Bythotrephes cederstroemi, which clogs anglers' fishing lines.

These smaller fish are not able to feed on the spiny water flea itself because of the barbs the flea possesses.

The spiny water flea is native to northern Europe and Asia, and some parts of central Europe.

More recently, the lakes have been under threat from non-indigenous invasive species such as the Bythotrephes longimanus (a.k.a. spiny water flea), which threaten local species.

The spiny water flea's diet consists mostly of Daphnia zooplankton, leading to competition with small and baby fish, and also with native water flea species.

Lake Huron has suffered recently due the introduction of a variety of new invasive species, including zebra and quagga mussels, the spiny water flea, and round gobies.

Lake Simcoe has been victim to zebra mussel, Purple Loosestrife, Black crappie, spiny water flea, round goby, and Eurasian milfoil invasions.

In Wisconsin alone, we face the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer, VHS, Spiny Water Fleas, Hydrilla and several other invasive plants and animals.

Species Profile- Spiny Water Flea (Bythotrephes longimanus), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library.

The spiny water flea is similar to another introduced cladoceran of the same family, the fishhook waterflea Cercopagis pengoi, which however has a more slender spine featuring a prominent loop-like hook at its end (see figure).

On September 11, 2009, the invasive spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus) was discovered by the limnology class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, making it the third known inland lake to harbor this species in Wisconsin.

The spiny water flea, eggs and larvae may be caught up in fishing line, downriggers, fishing nets, and other fishing equipment which has caused the spread of the water flea to inland lakes and rivers.

More recently, the lakes have been under threat from non-indigenous invasive species such as the Bythotrephes longimanus (a.k.a. spiny water flea), which threaten local species.

Species Profile- Spiny Water Flea (Bythotrephes longimanus), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library.

On September 11, 2009, the invasive spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus) was discovered by the limnology class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, making it the third known inland lake to harbor this species in Wisconsin.