Common Burrower Mayflies

Ephemeridae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Ephemeroptera
Suborder: Furcatergalia
Infraorder: Scapphodonta
Superfamily: Ephemeroidea
Family: Ephemeridae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ephemeridae: /ˌɛfəˈmɛrɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Hexagenia bilineata (Ephemeridae) - (imago), Niagara (NY), United States by

This image is created by user B. Schoenmakers at Observation.org, a global biodiversity recording project.
. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Mayfly-2-mettupalayam-coimbatore-India by Yercaud-elango. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Bulletin (1953) (20427829945) by Illinois. Natural History Survey Division. Used under a No restrictions license.

Hexagenia atrocaudata, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, July 2020 by kcthetc1. Used under a CC0 license.

Hexagenia limbata (giant mayfly) (Mitchell, South Dakota, USA) 1 by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Common burrower mayfly, Ephemera guttalata (6990537564) by Bob Henricks from Charlottesville, United States. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Summary

Ephemeridae is a family of mayflies characterized by large size and the ability to burrow in sediments. They play a significant ecological role in freshwater habitats and are found globally except in Australia and Oceania. They have about 150 described species, with several genera recognized.

Physical Characteristics

Size large; 10-30 mm; strongly divergent M and Cu veins in front wings; larvae have long cylindrical bodies, tapered at both ends, sharp mandibles that curve outward like tusks, long fringed antennae, three cauda (anal filaments); legs adapted for digging.

Identification Tips

Look for large mayflies with two or three long tails and distinctively patterned wings.

Habitat

Streams, lakes, and nearby areas; larvae burrow in sand and silt.

Distribution

Worldwide, except Australia and Oceania.

Diet

Nymphs are largely carnivorous, feeding through predation or scavenging.

Life Cycle

Ephemerids breed in a wide range of waters, usually requiring a layer of silt for the nymphs.

Ecosystem Role

Burrowing mayflies are important in aquatic ecosystems, providing food for fish and other predators.