COPEPODS
You are sure to find copepods during your spring and summer trips to the pond or lake. You will notice the two long antennae, shaped somewhat like bicycle handle bars, which appear on the animal's head, and the way it jerks through the water. Many copepods are bright red or orange; others are white, brown, purple, pale green, or black. They feed on decayed matter as well as on microscopic plants and animals.
One common copepod is called Cyclops. As its name suggests, it has only one eye. The female can be recognized by the egg-sacs which she carries on each side of her body.
ISOPODS
Isopods, or sow bugs, are commonly found in quiet, stick and leaf-filled pools, or in the bottom mud of ponds, with only a few small fresh-water clams or fly larvae for companions.
An isopod looks a little like an armadillo; in fact, the name of one group of land isopods is Armadillium. Everyone is so familiar with the common land sow bug that the water sow bug is sure to be recognized at once. When you see his seven pairs of legs,
you will know that he is not an insect. He feeds on decayed matter. You will probably find that he stays alive a long time in your aquarium.
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