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In the nymphs of most mayfly species, the paddle-like gills do not function as respiratory surfaces because sufficient oxygen is absorbed through the integument, instead serving to create a respiratory current.
Leptophlebiidae is a family belonging to the Ephemeropterans that are commonly known as the prong-gilled mayflies or leptophlebiids.It is the only family in the superfamily Leptophlebioidea. [1]
The nymphs of E. vulgata burrow into the sediment at the bottom of ponds. Most burrowing mayfly nymphs use the gills on their abdomens to create a current of water through their burrows, thereby ensuring sufficient oxygen is available to absorb through the tracheae in their skin.
Hexagenia limbata, the giant mayfly, is a species of mayfly in the family Ephemeridae. It is native to North America where it is distributed widely near lakes and slow-moving rivers. [ 2 ] The larvae, known as nymphs, are aquatic and burrow in mud and the adult insects have brief lives.
Eggs sink immediately to the bottom. These mayfly lives most of its life as larvae or nymphs. Larvae usually stay in the moss lawn of stones. They eat small particles of organic matter, such as algae, plant residues or decaying plants. Nymphs show an elongated and round shaped body, reaching a length of about 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in).
There are 51 species of mayfly known to occur in the British Isles. Species. The following genera and species have been recorded: from ten families. Ameletidae
Ephemerids are generally quite large mayflies (up to 35 mm) with either two or three very long tails. Many species have distinctively patterned wings. [2] They breed in a wide range of waters, usually requiring a layer of silt as the nymphs have strong legs which are adapted for burrowing (the group is sometimes known as burrowing mayflies).
Oligoneuriidae is a family of mayflies with a pantropical distribution. They are also known as brushlegged mayflies due to the presence of two rows of setae used for filtration on the front legs of their nymphs.