Larval-adult-association
Guides
Raptoheptagenia cruentata
predaceous flat-headed mayfly
Raptoheptagenia cruentata is a mayfly species originally described as Heptagenia cruentata by Walsh in 1863, later reclassified into the new genus Raptoheptagenia based on distinctive larval morphology. The genus was established because the larvae differ markedly from other Heptagenia species, having been previously misidentified as belonging to the genus Anepeorus. Adult males were successfully reared from these larvae, confirming the adult-larval association. This species belongs to the family Heptageniidae, commonly known as flat-headed mayflies.