THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands |
Identify taxa Jointed legsSix legs EphemeropteraUncommon in wetlands Ameletidae |
Ameletidae (Comb-mouthed mayfly) |
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These mayflies are somewhat similar to Baetidae and Siphlonuridae, but the larvae have a distinctive and fairly obvious comb of stiff spines on a pair of mouthparts (maxillae). The gills have a dark, sclerotized (hard) band along the outside edge, and the antennae are shorter than twice the width of the head. The larvae sometimes varies in color, though their patterns are similar, with a dark band on the tail and alternating dark and light on the abdomen. |
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Size: medium to large Identifying feature(s): have a distinctive and fairly obvious comb of stiff spines on a pair of mouthparts (maxillae) Habitat: littoral areas of a variety of freshwater habitats Tolerance to pollutants: unknown |
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