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
Heptageniidae
Rhithrogena
“Flat-headed Mayflies”
Genus Overview
23 species in North America. This genus prefers fast, swift currents in various stream sizes. The gills form a disc around the body of this genus to help keep it attached to rocks. The genus is easily identified by this disc and its three caudal filaments.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 0 and higher
Upper Midwest: 0 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
Abdominal Gills
Single Tarsal Claw
Usually 3 Tails
Family
Flat Head And Body
Margin Around Eyes
+ 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:
Head and body dorsoventrally flattened (depressed). Eyes and antennae positioned dorsally. Lateral margins of head visible beside the eyes. Mandibles not visible from dorsal side. Claws much shorter than tarsi. Tibiae and tarsi straight. Abdominal gills on segments 2–7 variably shaped depending on genus and species.
Genus:
3 caudal filaments, gills in a disc around abdomen,
Dorsal
Ventral