order
Coleoptera
“Adult Beetles”
Coleoptera
“Larval Beetles”
Diptera
“True Flies”
Ephemeroptera
“Mayflies”
Hemiptera
“True Bugs”
Lepidoptera
“Aquatic Caterpillars, Snout Moths”
Megaloptera
“Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies”
Odonata
“Dragonflies and Damselflies”
Plecoptera
“Stoneflies”
Trichoptera
“Caddisflies”
family
Elmidae
“Riffle Beetles”
Genus Overview
There are 33 species in North America. Adults are small around 2-4 mm in length. Adults lack tomentum on the foretibia.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 5.4 and higher
Upper Midwest: 5 and higher
Midwest: 3 and higher
Mid-Atlantic: 5 and higher
FEEDING HABITS
Collector / Gatherer
Scraper / Grazer
Scraper / Grazer
MOVEMENT
Clinger
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lotic-erosional
Diagnostic Characters
Order
Elytra
Family
5-Segmented Tarsi
Big Claws
Last Tarsal Segment
Thread-like Antennae
Genus
Prosternal Process
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:
Prosternum process narrower than head. Antennae filiform and 11 segmented. Elytra without an accessory stria. Tibia without tomentum. Hind coxae transverse and larger compared to fore- and mid- coxae.
Dorsal
Ventral