Spiny water fleas entered the Great Lakes in ship ballast water from Europe, arriving in the 1980s. In the fall, spiny water fleas will mate and lay “resting eggs”. These crustaceans reproduce rapidly. They reproduce both asexually and sexually. The spiny water flea (Bythotrephes cederstroemi) is not an insect but a crustacean with a long, barbed trail.They are small and transparent, making it difficult to see them unless they occur in very large numbers. Fish don’t eat them: The flea’s barbed tail gets caught in the throats of fish, so fish spit them out. Female spiny water fleas can produce up to 10 offspring every two weeks during the summer months. Spiny water fleas can reproduce asexually during the summer, so only 1 individual is needed to start a population. Researchers think that Great Lakes fishing equipment can spread the fleas between different lakes and streams, and stricter cleaning regulations may help. In fall, females mate and produce resting eggs … Although capable of sexual reproduction, most spiny water fleas reproduce … They live for several days up to two weeks. Spiny water fleas can rapidly reproduce in summer because adult females can produce young without mating, when water temperatures are just right, at a rate of 10 young every two weeks. However, the species tend to gather in masses on fishing lines and downrigger cables, so anglers may be the first to discover a new infestation. Something else that I am sure you'll find fascinating is how spiny water fleas reproduce. (518) 668-9700 info@fundforlakegeorge.org fundforlakegeorge.org A majority of the population is female and is capable of asexual reproduction as well as sexual reproduction. While young fish feed on zooplankton, they tend to avoid these two water fleas due to the long tail spine and barbs on the spine. In some species and under certain conditions, males — which are considerably smaller than females — … There are no effective ways to control invasive mussels or spiny water fleas. Something else that I am sure you’ll find fascinating is how spiny water fleas reproduce. Spiny water fleas are native to Eurasia and were probably brought into the Great Lakes in the ballast water of ocean-going freighters. Only larger fish, greater than two inches, are able to eat them. Spiny water fleas are invasive in all Great Lakes and can withstand great environmental stress. One spiny water flea can eat 20 organisms in a day. Oh, did I mention, spiny water fleas recently invaded Mille Lacs Lake, along with zebra mussels. Spiny water fleas disrupt the biodiversity of lakes they invade by out competing and consuming large numbers of the native zooplankton,creating an imbalance that ripples throughout the entire food chain. Most water fleas are asexual and reproduce by parthenogenesis, which means embryonic growth and fertilization occur without requiring fertilization from a male. With translucent bodies, only about ¼ to ½ inches in length, individual water fleas may go unnoticed. The flea population grows quickly and is difficult to control, partly because their barb-like spines make them resistant to predators. Spiny water flea reproduce quickly, up to 10 offspring female“clones” every 2 weeks They do it through a process known as parthenogenesis or asexual reproduction, which means that they are capable of reproducing without mating. Part of spiny water fleas’ success is due to their ability to reproduce rapidly — they mature and reproduce within about one week. PATHWAYS/HISTORY: The first introductions of the spiny and fishhook water fleas Oh, did I mention, spiny water fleas recently invaded Mille Lacs Lake, along with zebra mussels. 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