Mountain-streams
Guides
Agathon
Agathon is a genus of net-winged midges in the family Blephariceridae, established by Röder in 1890. These aquatic Diptera are characterized by their distinctive wing venation and are typically found in fast-flowing mountain streams. The genus has a broad distribution across the Holarctic and Oriental regions.
Apataniidae
Early Smoky Wing Sedges
Apataniidae is a family of caddisflies (Trichoptera) commonly known as early smoky wing sedges. The family contains approximately 18 genera and at least 180 described species. Members are primarily Holarctic in distribution, with notable diversity in Europe, Asia, and North America. Larvae are aquatic and construct portable cases from mineral particles.
Blephariceridae
Net-winged Midges
Blephariceridae, or net-winged midges, are a family of nematoceran flies distinguished by wings with a distinctive network of fissures and folds resembling cracked glass. Adults superficially resemble crane flies but differ in wing shape, head structure, and leg posture. Larvae are specialized inhabitants of torrential streams, possessing six ventral suckers that enable attachment to rocks in flows exceeding 2 m/s. The family contains over 200 species across dozens of genera worldwide, with highest diversity in mountainous regions. Larvae are ecologically significant as diatom grazers in lotic ecosystems.
Boreoheptagyia
Boreoheptagyia is a genus of non-biting midges in the subfamily Diamesinae of the family Chironomidae. The genus was established by Brundin in 1966 and currently comprises approximately 19 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with particular concentration in mountainous areas of Europe and Asia. Species in this genus are associated with cold, well-oxygenated lotic habitats and exhibit limited dispersal capacity, resulting in restricted, often isolated geographic ranges.
Corixinae
water boatman
Corixinae is a subfamily of aquatic true bugs comprising at least 130 described species. Members are commonly known as water boatmen and are found in freshwater habitats worldwide. The subfamily includes the genera Corixa and Sigara, among others. Larvae develop through five instars, with distinct morphometric and chaetotaxy characteristics separating developmental stages.
Dicranota
Dicranota is a genus of crane flies (Diptera: Pediciidae) established by Zetterstedt in 1838. The genus contains multiple subgenera, including Eudicranota and Rhaphidolabis. Species occur across the Northern Hemisphere, with documented records from Europe, Korea, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Larvae are aquatic and predatory, inhabiting cold, clean streams and springs.
Ecdyonurus
Ecdyonurus is a genus of mayflies in the family Heptageniidae, comprising approximately 66 described species distributed primarily across Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia. The genus is taxonomically well-studied, with multiple species described in recent decades from mountain regions including the Carpathians, Crimean Peninsula, and Aurès Mountains. Species within this genus are typically associated with running waters and have been subjects of ecological studies on larval growth and thermal biology.
Elliptera
Elliptera is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae, established by Schiner in 1863. The genus comprises ten described species distributed across the Holarctic region, including North America, Europe, and East Asia. Immature stages have been described for only a few species, with larvae inhabiting aquatic, hygropetric environments on wet rocks in mountainous areas.
Nemoura
spring stoneflies
Nemoura is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae, with more than 190 described species. The genus belongs to the subfamily Nemourinae within the superfamily Nemouroidea. Species in this genus are part of the EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) complex, a group of aquatic insects with significant ecological importance in freshwater ecosystems.
Philocasca
Philocasca is a genus of caddisflies (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) established by Ross in 1941, containing species native to western North America. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with three species (P. alba, P. thor, and P. antennata) transferred to the new genus Montiphylax based on morphological distinctions in wing patterns, genitalia structure, and larval setae. Remaining Philocasca species include P. banksi, P. demita, P. oron, and P. rivularis. The genus exhibits notable ecological diversity, including both aquatic and terrestrial larval habits.
Pteronarcella badia
Least Salmonfly
Pteronarcella badia, commonly known as the least salmonfly, is a stonefly species in the family Pteronarcyidae found in western North America. It is one of two species in the genus Pteronarcella. The species occupies mid-elevation mountain streams and exhibits complex population genetic structure with six deeply divergent clades across its range. Adults are capable of overland flight, which serves as an important dispersal mechanism between drainage systems.