Leptophlebia cupida

(Say, 1823)

Early Brown Spinner, Black Quill

Leptophlebia cupida is a pronggilled mayfly native to North America, commonly known as the early brown spinner or black quill. The species exhibits a with during summer months. Nymphs develop through approximately 20-34 instars over 10 months, with occurring from late April to mid-May. are short-lived, non-feeding, and mate in swarms near streams.

Leptophlebia cupida 120081337 by Nathan Jones. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Leptophlebia cupida 120081317 by Nathan Jones. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Leptophlebia cupida: /lɛptoʊˈfliːbiə ˈkjuːpɪdə/

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Identification

Pronggilled mayfly with characteristic gill structure of Leptophlebiidae; emerge in spring (late April to mid-May), earlier than many sympatric ; males emerge slightly before females (protandry). Specific diagnostic morphological features not detailed in available sources.

Images

Habitat

Lotic freshwater environments including small streams and rivers; studied in brown-water streams of Alberta and clear-water streams in southwestern Ontario. Nymphs inhabit stream substrates during development.

Distribution

North America; documented from southwestern Ontario, Alberta, and eastern North American localities. GBIF records indicate presence across the Nearctic region.

Seasonality

occurs from late April to mid-May; nymphs present year-round with most growth occurring in late winter and spring; through summer months.

Diet

Nymphs are fine particle , ingesting approximately 96% detritus and 4% diatoms with average particle size of 38 μm. do not feed.

Life Cycle

(one per year). enter until late summer. Nymphs progress through 20-34 instars over approximately 10 months; development rate correlated with cumulative degree days (water temperature) rather than calendar days. Most growth occurs in late winter and spring. short-lived with no feeding stage.

Behavior

Mating occurs in swarms near streams. Females oviposit by dipping into water. Males exhibit protandry, emerging slightly earlier than females. Nymphs show physiological sensitivity to rapid environmental changes during spring snowmelt, experiencing cation loss prior to mortality.