• 1 genus and 24 species in North America
| Phylum: | Arthopoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Megaloptera |
| Family: | Sialidae |
Identification Tips:
• Body length 10-25 mm
• 7 pair of stout, flexible, segmented, pointed filaments protrude from abdominal segments
• Single long tapering filament fringed with fine hairs extends from tip of abdomen like a tail
• Sturdy, toothed jaws at front of head
• Head and thorax (segments with legs) are hardened, but abdomen is soft
Life History:
Larvae
• Burrowers that occur in all types and sizes of freshwater habitats
• Rarely found in flowing water, in rivers they will be limited to pools or eddies
• Most are found in areas soft bottom where there is a lot of organic matter, but some species live in sand
• Predatory on smaller invertebrates
Adults
Flying insects
Females lay eggs on undersides of leaves or twigs overhanging water
| 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.
