Ephemeroptera

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    View full calendar

    Key to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Utah - Ephemeroptera

    Ephemeroptera Order

    (Family Name is Shown in Bolded Letters.) 

    Ameletidae (primitive minnow mayflies)

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionAntennae shorter than 2x width of head, striped tail, postlateral corners (spines) on abdomen. Length 6-20 mm.

    HabitatRapid moving fresh water, slower water habitats.

    Ametropodidae (sand minnow mayflies)

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionLong claws on middle and hind legs, hairs on claws, distinctive lateral fringed gills, 3 fringed tails. Length 14-8 mm.

    HabitatRapid moving fresh water, larger rivers.

    Baetidae (small minnow flies)

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionSmall, stream-lined fusiform shape, typically with long antennae - more than 2x width ofhead, often with a short middle caudal filament. Length 3-12 mm.

    HabitatAll habitats.

    Caenidae

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionQuadrate shape, robust thorax, only fore wingpads. Length less than 8 mm.

    HabitatRapid moving fresh water.

    Ephemerellidae (spiny mayflies)

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionGills absent on abdominal segment 2, may be absent on segments 1 and 3, spiny. Length 5-15 mm.

    HabitatMostly rapid moving fresh water.

    Ephemeridae (burrowning mayflies)

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionLarge bodied, long mandibular tusks curve upward and outward without spines on distal end, gills forked. Length 15-35mm.

    HabitatRapid moving fresh water - large.

    Heptageniidae (flathead mayflies)

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionDorsally flattened body, rectangular head, broad shoulders, large alien eyes. Length 5-20mm.

    HabitatRapid moving fresh water, generally higher water velocity areas.

    Isonychiidae (brushlegged mayflies)

    Placeholder Image

    Description2 rows of conspicuous, long hairs present along inner surface of fore legs. Length 8-17.

    HabitatRapid moving fresh water.

    Leptohyphidae (stout crawlers)

    Placeholder Image

    Description1st pair of gills operculate - triangular shape that do not meet in center, robust thorax. Length 3-10mm.

    Habitat1st pair of gills operculate - triangular shape that do not meet in center, robust thorax. Length 3-10mm.

    Leptophlebiidae (prong-gilled mayflies)

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionBody dorsoventrally flattened, gills can be forked, fringed, elongate, or double. Length 4-15 mm.

    HabitatGenerally rapid moving fresh water, some slow moving fresh water.

    Oligoneuriidae

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionFront legs with long setae on inner margins. Length 8-17mm.

    HabitatLarger rapid moving fresh water, depositional.

    Polymitarcyidae (white mayflies)

    Placeholder Image

    DescriptionLarge bodied, long mandibular tusks covered with spines or tubercles that curve inward and downward, gills forked and held dorsally. Length 12-35mm.

    HabitatLarger warmer rapid moving fresh water, depositional.

     

    Back to "My Organism Has 3 Tails"