- 27 species in North America
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Blephariceridae |
Identification Tips:
Larvae
• Body blackish and flattened, top to bottom
• 6 suckers in row down centre of underside of body
• Move like an inchworm
Pupae
• Glued tightly to rock, usually in crevice or depression
Life History:
Larvae
• Found primarily in cool, fast-flowing, mountain streams
• Cling to large stones and rock outcrops in fast water or waterfalls
• Often aggregate in groups of up to 100
• Scrape algae and detritus off of rocks
• Adult females lay eggs on rocks exposed at low water levels
• Eggs hatch when water levels rise to submerge them
• Adults emerge from pupae when water levels fall again
| POLLUTION TOLERANCE | ||||
| Very Sensitive | Somewhat Sensitive | Facultative | Somewhat Tolerant | Very Tolerant |
| Most | ||||
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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.
