Location: New River Junction, Montgomery County VA
Time: February 23, 2022, approx. 9:55 PM
Weather: Cool, semi-humid, cloudy and very windy
Habitat: Flooded woodlands along the New River. Muddy open areas with thick reeds and brambles, spotted salamanders found under closed canopy closer to the river. Many large standing and fallen trees and branches (beaver or flood damage), deep flooded channels, murky water though clearer in shallower areas.
An unusual aquatic invertebrate seen thrashing near the water surface. Flattened and segmented, with a broad head. Legs were absent or too small to see from my perspective, though it appears to have mandibles of some form. Grey with a darker stripe down the center of the body. A couple centimeters in length.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDBJUAqddS4
body length 5 mm
numerous on small sandy beaches along stream