- 24 species in North America
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Megaloptera |
| Family: | Sialidae |
Identification Tips:
Larvae
• Body elongated and somewhat flattened, typically 10-25 mm
• Head and thorax hardened, abdomen soft
• Prominent mouth parts
• No wing pads
• 3 pair segmented legs
• 7 or 8 robust, tapered, segmented filaments extend from each side of abdomen
Adults
• Wings large, elongated, and membranous, with many veins
• Wings held slanted (roof-like) over the abdomen when no flying
• Outer two wing veins joined by many parallel cross-veins
• No tails on abdomen
Life History:
• Occur in all types of freshwater habitats
• Prefer quiet water with soft bottom and abundant organic matter
• Predatory burrowers
• Typically 1 generation per year
• Adults lay eggs on underside of leaves overhanging water
• Some species tolerate extremely low dissolved oxygen
| POLLUTION TOLERANCE | ||||
| Very Sensitive | Somewhat Sensitive | Facultative | Somewhat Tolerant | Very Tolerant |
| Most | Some | Some | ||
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Primary Information Source:
Voshell, J. Reese. 2002. A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company. Blacksburg, Virginia.
