order
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_coleoptera_adult_v_160.png)
Coleoptera
“Adult Beetles”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_coleoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Coleoptera
“Larval Beetles”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_diptera_larva_v_160.png)
Diptera
“True Flies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_ephemeroptera_larva_v_160.png)
Ephemeroptera
“Mayflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_hemiptera_adult_v_160.png)
Hemiptera
“True Bugs”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_lepidoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Lepidoptera
“Aquatic Caterpillars, Snout Moths”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_megaloptera_larva_v_160.png)
Megaloptera
“Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_odonata_larva_v_160.png)
Odonata
“Dragonflies and Damselflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_plecoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Plecoptera
“Stoneflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_trichoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Trichoptera
“Caddisflies”
family
Elmidae
Microcylloepus
“Riffle Beetles”
Genus Overview
There are 6 species in North America. Very small, less than 2.2 mm long. Lateral carinae on pronotum.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 2.1 and higher
Upper Midwest: 3 and higher
0 = least tolerant, 10 = most tolerant
FEEDING HABITS
Collector / Gatherer
Scraper / Grazer
Shredder / Herbivore
Scraper / Grazer
Shredder / Herbivore
MOVEMENT
Burrower
Climber
Clinger
Climber
Clinger
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-erosional
Lotic-erosional
Diagnostic Characters
Order
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197256/images.ff210d384c0992e9b970400c893b5fa5/197256-120x120-1860-3399-701-2240.jpg)
Elytra
Family
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197256/images.ff210d384c0992e9b970400c893b5fa5/197256-120x120-2497-2980-479-962.jpg)
5-Segmented Tarsi
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197256/images.ff210d384c0992e9b970400c893b5fa5/197256-120x120-3558-4018-402-862.jpg)
Big Claws
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197256/images.ff210d384c0992e9b970400c893b5fa5/197256-120x120-2956-3782-1637-2463.jpg)
Last Tarsal Segment
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197256/images.ff210d384c0992e9b970400c893b5fa5/197256-120x120-649-1594-412-1357.jpg)
Thread-like Antennae
Genus
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197257/images.7689363c61a89c54ef65631e11395ed1/197257-120x120-2677-3471-1025-1819.jpg)
Epipleura
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197257/images.7689363c61a89c54ef65631e11395ed1/197257-120x120-1207-2001-1037-1831.jpg)
Prosternal Process
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197256/images.ff210d384c0992e9b970400c893b5fa5/197256-120x120-860-1469-1754-2363.jpg)
Tomentum of tibia
+ Expanded Character List
Order:
Adults with hardened forewings (elytra) covering the hind wings.
Family:
Terminal segment of each antenna no longer than combined length of 2 preceding segments; antennae thread-like. Elytra concealing entire abdomen or exposing only part of 1 tergite. Each leg with 5 tarsal segments, last tarsal segment about as long as other segments combined and with big claws. Abdomen with 5 visible segments.
Genus:
Very small, less than 2.2 mm long. Lateral carinae on pronotum. Prosterum process with posterior margin width less than head.
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197256/images.ff210d384c0992e9b970400c893b5fa5/197256-377x240.jpg)
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/197257/images.7689363c61a89c54ef65631e11395ed1/197257-363x240.jpg)
Dorsal
Ventral