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
Ephemerellidae
Attenella
“Spiny Crawler Mayfly”
Genus Overview
Currently 4 species in North America.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 2.6 and higher
Upper Midwest: 3 and higher
FEEDING HABITS
Collector / Gatherer
MOVEMENT
Clinger
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
Segment 2 Without Gills
genus
Forefemur
Gills Start On Segment 4
+ 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:
Gills on abdominal segment 1 rudimentary or absent. Abdominal segment 2 without gills. Gills on abdominal segments 3 (if present) and 4–7 have two layers: a top layer that is oval and plate-like and a bottom layer that is multi-lobed; in preserved specimens these gills lying in paired dorsal depressions and camouflaged, not readily seen by novices. Abdominal terga often with paired tubercles. Mature larvae 5–15 mm long, not including tails.
Genus:
Abdominal gills start on segment 4, no operculate gills, paired submedian tubercles present,
Dorsal
Lateral
Ventral