Ectemnia

Enderlein, 1930

black flies

Species Guides

1

Ectemnia is a of black flies ( Simuliidae) comprising four North American . The genus exhibits distinctive autapomorphic morphological features in both larval and stages that have complicated its phylogenetic placement. Species occupy contrasting : two northern species inhabit rocky rivers, while two southeastern species occur in blackwater swamp streams and sandy rivers.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ectemnia: /ɛkˈtɛmniə/

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Identification

Larvae and possess autapomorphic structural features that distinguish Ectemnia from other simuliid . analysis reveals seven fixed , 10 unshared autosomal , two -band expressions, and five sex- systems across the four . Keys for larvae, pupae, and adults are available in taxonomic literature.

Habitat

varies by : E. invenusta and E. taeniatifrons occupy rocky rivers in northern regions; E. primaeva and E. reclusa inhabit blackwater swamp streams and sandy rivers in the southeastern Coastal Plain. stages are aquatic and associated with flowing water systems.

Distribution

North America. Northern distribution for E. invenusta and E. taeniatifrons; southeastern Coastal Plain distribution for E. primaeva and E. reclusa.

Life Cycle

Aquatic stages (larvae and pupae) develop in flowing water . emerge from these aquatic stages. Specific duration of developmental stages not documented in available sources.

Behavior

Larvae construct cocoons; cocoon-spinning has been studied in E. invenusta and shows synapotypies with other black fly . Behavioral characters have been used in phylogenetic analyses to resolve relationships within Simuliidae.

Similar Taxa

  • SimuliumEctemnia is phylogenetically placed as sister to a Simulium + Eusimulium clade based on behavioral characters; both are black fly with aquatic larvae.
  • MetacnephiaEctemnia and Metacnephia share a clade in phylogenetic analyses; both are prosimuliine black flies with northern distributions for some .

Sources and further reading