Spiny Crawler Mayflies
Ephemerellidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Ephemeroptera
- Suborder: Furcatergalia
- Infraorder: Pannota
- Superfamily: Ephemerelloidea
- Family: Ephemerellidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ephemerellidae: /ɛˌfɛmɛrˈɛlɪdiː/
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Images
Summary
Ephemerellidae, or spiny crawler mayflies, are a family of mayflies known for their ecological importance and use in fly fishing. They are mainly found in North America and are sensitive to environmental changes, serving as indicators of water quality.
Physical Characteristics
Adults typically measure 5–15 mm and have characteristic 3 tails. They possess reduced mouthparts, two front wings, and two reduced hind wings. The wings are membranous with heavy veining for strength. Larvae have operculate gills for underwater breathing, and both larvae and adults have soft bodies.
Identification Tips
The nymphs of Ephemerellidae, particularly Seratella ignita, can be identified by the darker bands on their legs and tails. Ephemerella notata lacks these bands, making identification more challenging.
Habitat
Lotic-erosional environments, found in all sizes of flowing streams and sometimes on the shores of lakes and beaches with wave action.
Distribution
Holarctic and Oriental regions, with greater diversity in North America.
Diet
Filter feeders; the larvae extract nutrients from debris in the water.
Life Cycle
Most species have one generation per year, primarily in the larval stage.
Reproduction
Adults emerge to mate and then die shortly after; they have a short life span post-emergence.
Predators
Various aquatic species, including fish that prey on both larvae and adults.
Ecosystem Role
Serve as biological indicators of water quality and are fundamental to the ecosystem's functioning by being part of the aquatic food web.
Economic Impact
Commonly used as bait in fly fishing, contributing to the economic market for fly fishing materials and lures.
Cultural Significance
In fly fishing culture, mayflies are significant as they are modeled for various lures and play a crucial role in the aquatic food web.
Collecting Methods
- Netting in streams and rivers
- Sampling with kick nets
Preservation Methods
- Alcohol preservation
- Freezing for short-term storage
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Mayflies are often misunderstood due to their brief adult life stage, leading to the misconception that they have a prolonged lifespan.
Tags
- Ephemeroptera
- mayflies
- ephemerellidae
- freshwater ecology
- fly fishing