Palingenia-longicauda

Guides

• Palingeniidae

  spiny-headed burrowing mayflies

  Palingeniidae is a family of large mayflies commonly known as spiny-headed burrowing mayflies. Adults are characterized by having more than four longitudinal cross-veins on their wings, with males possessing short, wide pronota and well-developed legs in both sexes. Female cerci are shorter than the body. Nymphs are burrowers in muddy substrates of large rivers. The family includes notable species such as Palingenia longicauda, the largest European mayfly at up to 12 cm in length.

  mayfliesEphemeropteraburrowinglarge-riversaquatic-insectsPalingenia-longicaudaEuropeMadagascarMiddle-EastneotenyriverinebenthicTisza-mayflywater-quality-indicatorEU-Water-Framework-Directive