Hyporheic-zone
Guides
Anthopotamus
hacklegilled burrower mayflies
Anthopotamus is a genus of hacklegilled burrower mayflies in the family Potamanthidae, established by McCafferty & Bae in 1990. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America. Larvae are specialized burrowers in riverine substrates, notable for their fossorial lifestyle in the hyporheic zone using tusk-like structures for excavation. Adults are short-lived and primarily reproductive.
Capniidae
small winter stoneflies, winter stoneflies
Capniidae, the small winter stoneflies, is one of the largest families in the order Plecoptera, comprising approximately 300 species distributed throughout the Holarctic region. Adults are active during winter months, often observed on snow-covered stream banks when most other insects are dormant. The family exhibits notable adaptations to cold environments, including antifreeze compounds and winglessness in some species, which has led to high endemism and restricted distributions. Their closest relatives are the rolled-winged stoneflies (Leuctridae).
Chloroperlidae
Green Stoneflies, Green Sallies, Yellow Sallies, Yellow Sallflies
Chloroperlidae is a family of stoneflies comprising over 200 species across 22 genera, commonly known as green stoneflies for their characteristic yellowish-green to green coloration. Adults range from 6–20 mm in body length and are distinguished by relatively short cerci, slender labial palps, and wings pads that remain parallel to the body midline. The family exhibits hemimetabolous development with egg, nymph, and adult stages but no pupal stage. Nymphs are aquatic inhabitants of cold, clean streams and rivers across five continents, where their sensitivity to pollutants makes them important bioindicators of water quality. Adults are primarily terrestrial, dwelling in riparian vegetation near water bodies with a brief lifespan focused on reproduction.
Krenosmittia
Krenosmittia is a genus of non-biting midges in the family Chironomidae, subfamily Orthocladiinae. The genus contains approximately 20 described species. Larvae have been documented inhabiting the hyporheic zone—the saturated interstitial spaces beneath and alongside stream beds—rather than typical surface sediments. Species occur across parts of Europe, Asia, and Russia.
Potamanthidae
Hackle-gilled Burrower Mayflies
Potamanthidae is a family of burrowing mayflies comprising approximately 23 species across three to four genera (Anthopotamus, Potamanthus, Rhoenanthus, and Stygifloris). Larvae are fossorial, inhabiting interstitial spaces in gravel and pebble substrates of streams and rivers, and possess distinctive mandibular tusks used for excavation and defense. Adults are aerial and short-lived. The family has a disjunct distribution spanning North America and East Asia.