• 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 SensitiveSomewhat SensitiveFacultativeSomewhat TolerantVery Tolerant
  MostSomeSome

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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.