“Prong-gilled Mayflies”
Genus Overview
This common and widespread genus includes about 7 species in North America. Larvae live on sediments and detritus in lotic-erosional (fast-water) habitats, where they are efficient swimmers and are clingers and sprawlers on the substrate. The feed as collectors-gatherers on coarse detritus and diatoms, occasionally shredding larger detritus. Fly fishers know different species as Blue Quills and Mahogany Duns. This genus was recently a part of Paraleptophlebia, 32 species. Separation of the two genera comes down to the length of the split in the gills, Neoleptophlebia has a shallow fork and tracheal branches in the gill.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 1.2 and higher
Upper Midwest: 1 and higher
Midwest: 2.8 and higher
Mid-Atlantic: 1 and higher
0 = least tolerant, 10 = most tolerant
FEEDING HABITS
Collector / Gatherer
Shredder / Detritivore
Shredder / Detritivore
MOVEMENT
Clinger
Sprawler
Swimmer
Sprawler
Swimmer
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lotic-erosional
Diagnostic Characters
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