Atherix lantha

Webb, 1977

watersnipe fly

Atherix lantha is a of watersnipe in the . The are aquatic, piercing-sucking that feed on other aquatic . The species has a with fifth- larvae. Mass -laying results in large of dead females attached to egg masses.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Atherix lantha: //ˈæθərɪks ˈlænθə//

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Habitat

Streams and rivers with gravel substrates. are aquatic and require oxygenated water. In Quebec, documented from the rivière de l'Achigan in the Laurentian foothills.

Distribution

Canada and United States. Documented in Quebec, Canada.

Seasonality

on the from mid-May to late June. First- appear in June. occurs in May.

Diet

are predatory, feeding via . includes () and larvae, , hyalellid amphipods, and . Hydropsychid caddisflies show higher vulnerability to than hyalellid amphipods and heptageniid mayflies.

Life Cycle

(one per year). laid in great clusters under structures such as footbridges; females die attached to egg masses. Upon hatching, fall into water. Five larval : first instar appears in June, rapid growth through summer with most reaching fourth instar by September, primarily in fifth and final instar. Full-grown larvae leave water in May to pupate on river banks. Growth follows Dyar's law with constant growth rate of 1.31 between instars, except between first and second instar where rate is higher (1.41).

Behavior

Mass -laying result in thousands of dead females attached to egg masses. are sit-and-wait . success varies with predator size: large larvae consume more large than small larvae, while small larvae feed equally on small and large mayflies.

Ecological Role

Aquatic of and other aquatic . Potential agent for black fly .

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Sources and further reading