- 17 species in North America
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Ptychopteridae |
Identification Tips:
Larvae
• Capsule-like head
• Long, thin, telescoping breathing tube at tend of abdomen
• Pair of prolegs on first 3 abdominal segments
• 10-25 mm without breathing tube, up to 60 mm with
• Segments have multiple ridges and/or soft bumps protruding
Life History:
• Usually found in still, often stagnant water near edges of ponds and marshees
• Burrowers; life in upper 3 cm of sediment that is rich in organic detritus
• Feed on collected organic material
• Breathe air via long tube and absorb oxygen over the skin
• Adults fly; occur in shrubby vegetation near where larvae occur
| 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.
