Leuctra duplicata

Claassen, 1923

Atlantic Needlefly

Leuctra duplicata, known as the Atlantic needlefly, is a rolled-winged in the . It is a with a adapted to intermittent streams. emerge in mid-to-late May over a 3-4 week period. The species has been recorded from northeastern North America, with notable rarity in some parts of its range.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Leuctra duplicata: /ˈljuːk.trə duː.plɪˈkaː.tə/

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Identification

As a member of , this has the characteristic rolled- posture of the , where wings are held tightly rolled around the body at rest. Specific diagnostic features distinguishing it from are not documented in available sources.

Habitat

Small intermittent streamlets, particularly in forested regions. In Ohio, it has been documented from springbrooks in the eastern half of the state where forest cover is greatest. In Quebec, it inhabits intermittent streamlets in the foothills of the Laurentian Highlands.

Distribution

Northeastern North America: recorded from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Brunswick, Ohio, and Quebec. In Ohio, known from only two adjacent springbrooks in the northeast. The appears to be naturally rare across much of its documented range.

Seasonality

occurs mid-to-late May and lasts 3-4 weeks. are laid in early July. Nymphal growth continues through winter, with acceleration in May preceding emergence.

Life Cycle

with one per year. are laid just after streams dry up in early July. Eggs undergo prolonged incubation due to depressed development rates, hatching in October when stream flow resumes—not true . Nymphal growth continues through winter and accelerates considerably in May.

Behavior

patterns are similar between sexes, lasting 3-4 weeks. Shows little competitive interaction with co-occurring despite overlap in timing.

Human Relevance

Considered a bioindicator of high-quality stream . Its rarity and specific habitat requirements make it a priority for in Ohio, where it has been used to identify streams warranting protection.

Similar Taxa

Ostrocerca prolongataCo-occurs in and shows similar timing and size-frequency distributions, but differs in diet and emerges approximately two weeks earlier.

More Details

Conservation Status

Over 17% of Ohio are considered rare. Leuctra duplicata exemplifies this pattern, known from only two adjacent locations in the state. Its long (1-2 years) increases vulnerability to local extinction.