Cyclops

Description

Cyclops is one of the most common genera of freshwater copepods, and as the name suggests has a single eye which may be either red or black. It can vary in size from 0.5 to 5 mm long.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It lives along the plant-covered banks of stagnant and slow-flowing bodies of water, mainly in freshwater.

When to see it

All year round.

Life History

It feeds on small fragments of plant material, animals or carrion and has the capacity to survive unsuitable conditions by forming a cloak of slime.

UK Status

Common and widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Common and widespread in Britain.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Woodlice, Crustaceans
Kingdom:
Order:
Family:
Records on NatureSpot:
7
First record:
02/04/2005 (Gould, David)
Last record:
16/04/2023 (Bell, Melinda)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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Latest images

Latest records