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.
David Nicholls
Watermead Country Park
01 May 2015
HAPeacock
Leicester Garden
28 February 2012
David Nicholls
Grantham Canal, Barkestone
22 April 2021
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Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015