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
Ameletidae
genus
Ameletus
“Comb-mouthed Minnow Mayflies”
Genus Overview
Ameletus was previously included among genera of the Siphloneuridae, is now the only genus in the family Ameletidae. There are 34 known species in North America, most from west of the Rocky Mountains. Larvae are fusiform or streamlined in body shape, making them strong swimmers and clingers. They are collector-gatherers or scraper-grazers, feeding on detritus and diatoms. They tend to be found in cold, fast-flowing mountain streams, especially along edges, beneath undercut banks, and in root masses. The genus can often be confused with Isonychia or Baetis, but can be distinguished by its maxillae, each with a row of golden pectinate spines.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 2.1 and higher
Upper Midwest: 0 and higher
FEEDING HABITS
Collector / Gatherer
Scraper / Grazer
Scraper / Grazer
MOVEMENT
Clinger
Swimmer
Swimmer
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-erosional
Lotic-erosional
Diagnostic Characters
Order
Abdominal Gills
Single Tarsal Claw
Usually 3 Tails
Family
Notched Upper Lip
Pectinate Spines On Maxillae
Short Antennae
Genus
Only 1 Genus
+ Expanded Character List
Order:
Wings developing in wing pads. Mouthparts suitable for chewing. Gills present on tops and sides of abdomen. Segmented legs present. One tarsal claw per leg. Usually with 3 tails (sometimes 2).
Family:
Body not flat. Labrum without notched distal margin and maxillae each with row of golden pectinate spines. Tusks absent. Antennae shorter than twice width of head. Thoracic notum not turtle-shell-shaped. Abdominal terga usually without paired tubercles. Abdominal segment 2 with gills similar to those on other segments but NOT operculate/semioperculate; with single lamellae more or less oval and with sclerotized band along lateral margin and usually with a similar sclerotized band on or near mesal margin; gills usually not fringed; never ending in filaments or points. Forelegs without long hairs. Tibiae and tarsi not bowed; claws usually not long and slender. Claws of all legs similar, usually sharply pointed, variable in length. Three tails of about equal length.
Genus:
Body not flat. Labrum with notched distal margin and maxillae each with row of golden pectinate spines. Tusks absent. Thoracic notum not turtle-shell-shaped. Abdominal terga usually without paired tubercles. Abdominal segment two with gills similar to those on other segments but NOT operculate/semioperculate; with single lamellae more or less oval and with a sclerotized band along lateral margin and usually with a similar sclerotized band on or near mesal margin; usually not fringed; never ending in filaments or points. Forelegs without long hairs. Tibiae and tarsi not bowed; claws usually not long and slender. Claws of all legs similar, usually sharply pointed, variable in length. Three tails about same length.
Dorsal
Lateral
Ventral