• 34 species in North America
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Ephemeroptera
Family:Ameletidae

Identification Tips:

•Plate-like gills on each side of most abdominal segments
Antennae short: less than twice width of head
• All 3 tails of equal length and have a dark band near midpoint
• Length 6-14 mm

• Larvae can be very difficult to distinguish from Small Minnow Mayflies or Primitive Minnow Mayflies

Life History:

• Typically in flowing streams and rivers
• Among gravel, debris or vegetation
• Very strong swimmers, can nagivate substancial currents
• Feed on collected or scraped organic material
• One generation per year for most species

POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Very SensitiveSomewhat SensitiveFacultativeSomewhat TolerantVery Tolerant
Most    

––––––
Primary Information Source:
Voshell, J. Reese. 2002. A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company. Blacksburg, Virginia.