My main advisor in graduate school at Colorado State University was Paul Opler. If you’ve ever used a Peterson Field Guide to butterflies, you’ve probably seen his name. Paul was a giant in entomology. But one of the most impactful things he did was become the first entomologist hired by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1974, shortly after the passage of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). His presence helped push insect conservation into the national spotlight—a radical idea at the time.
Fifty years later, we still mostly hear about endangered grizzly bears, eagles or native trout. Rarely do people picture mayflies, caddisflies, riffle beetles or midges when they think about wildlife protection. But these tiny, stream-dwelling bugs are just as vital—and just as vulnerable.
Thankfully, that’s starting to change.
The Power of a Label
Every state and U.S. territory has a State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which serves as a roadmap for conserving wildlife and habitat. Within these plans is a list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Historically, these lists focused on the “charismatic megafauna,” but that tide is shifting. More and more aquatic insects are being added to the list, giving them a shot at survival before they vanish.
The SGCN label might sound bureaucratic, but for insects, it can mean everything. It brings funding opportunities, sparks research and gets these critters and their populations included in important restoration work and pre-project studies.
A tiny insect, a big red flag
Take the glacier stonefly (Zapada glacier), for example. This cold-water-loving insect is found only in glacier-fed streams of Glacier National Park, the Beartooth Mountains and Grand Teton National Park. As climate change shrinks its icy habitat, the stonefly is slipping toward extinction. After years of data collection and advocacy, the species is listed as “Threatened” under the ESA. It was one of the first aquatic insects ever protected this way—a major milestone.
And the movement continues. In Utah, Trout Unlimited is working alongside the Salmonfly Project and they are pushing to get the giant salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) recognized as a SGCN Anglers and biologists alike have seen a major decline in parts of the Provo and Logan Rivers. Surveys are now underway on the Ogden River. The presence of these western river icons is a sign of a thriving, cold-water stream; their decline indicates that something more is going on.
Why aquatic insects matter
To reiterate one of the main points of this column, these bugs aren’t just fish food (though we fly anglers certainly love them for that part). They’re stream cleaners, nutrient-cyclers and water quality indicators. They keep the habitat thriving for the trout that we love to catch.
Aquatic insects:
- Break down leaf litter and organic matter.
- Feed fish, birds, bats, amphibians and more.
- Tell us whether a stream is healthy long before the fish disappear.
And yet, they’re declining fast. In many cases, we lose them before we even learn their names.
What you can do
- Support your state’s SWAP: Encourage inclusion of aquatic invertebrates in your state’s conservation planning. All 50 states have one.
- Restore stream habitat: Volunteer for plantings, cleanups or stream surveys with your local TU chapter or conservation organization. Good habitat = more bugs.
- Become a bug nerd: Learn your local mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies. Awareness starts with curiosity. Knowledge is conservation.
- Push for funding: Tell your elected officials to support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act—it helps fund protection for SGCNs, more importantly, for non-game species.
Conservation starts small
These little bugs tell big stories about water, climate and our shared ecosystems. By paying attention to them, we’re protecting more than just insects—we’re safeguarding streams, watersheds and the species (including humans) that depend on them.
After all, if we care for the bugs, we care for the stream. And when we care for the stream, we care for everything connected to it, including ourselves.
Want to help care for the bugs, too?
Join me and The Salmonfly Project by sharing your observations or participating in their community surveys. Your time on the water can help fuel better conservation and restoration decisions across the West.
Learn more about The Salmonfly Project at salmonflyproject.org. Let’s get some boots in the water—and eyes on the bugs!