Heptageniidae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Heptageniidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Ephemeroptera Suborder: Schistonota Superfamily: Heptagenoidea Family: Heptageniidae
Genera include
Acanthomola Afghanurus Anepeorus Cinygma Cinygmula Darthus Ecdyonurus Electrogena Epeorus Heptagenia Ironodes Kageronia Leucrocuta Macdunnoa Nixe Raptoheptagenia Rhithrogena Stenacron Stenonema

Heptageniidae (Synonym: Ecdyonuridae) is a family of mayflies with around 500 described species with a mainly Holarctic distribution. These are generally rather small mayflies with two long tails. The wings are usually clear with prominent venation although species with variegated wings are known. As in most mayflies, the males have large compound eyes but not divided into upper and lower parts (the group is sometimes referred to as flat-headed mayflies).

Heptageniids breed mainly in fast-flowing streams (an alternative common name is stream mayflies) but some species will use still waters. The nymphs have a flattened shape and are usually dark in colour. They use a wide range of food sources with herbivorous, scavenging and predatory species known.

[edit] References

• Chinery, Michael (1986). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe. London: Collins. ISBN 0-00-219170-9. 
• McGavin, George C. (2005). Insects and Spiders. London: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 1-4053-0596-7. 
• Fauna Europaea
• Nomina Insecta Nearctica