Atherix lantha

Webb, 1977

watersnipe fly

Atherix lantha is a of watersnipe fly in the Athericidae. The larvae are aquatic, piercing-sucking that feed on other aquatic . The species has a with fifth-instar 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. Larvae 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 wing from mid-May to late June. First-instar larvae appear in June. occurs in May.

Diet

Larvae are predatory, feeding via . Prey includes black fly (Simuliidae) pupae and larvae, heptageniid mayflies, hyalellid amphipods, and hydropsychid . 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, larvae fall into water. Five larval instars: 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. Larvae are sit-and-wait . success varies with predator size: large larvae consume more large mayflies than small larvae, while small larvae feed equally on small and large mayflies.

Ecological Role

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