Hexagenia limbata
| Hexagenia limbata | |
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| Hexagenia limbata | |
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| Species: | H. limbata
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| Binomial name | |
| Hexagenia limbata | |
Hexagenia limbata, the giant mayfly, is a species of mayfly in the family Ephemeridae. It is native to North America where its range includes the whole of Canada and all of the United States except for Alaska and Arizona.[1]
Description
When the fully developed larva, known as a nymph, rises to the surface to emerge as an adult, it first enters a subimago stage. This is similar in appearance to the adult but has cloudy rather than clear wings and lacks genitalia.[1] After a period of from one to three days, the subimago flies to a resting place where it molts one more time, becoming a sexually mature adult form, the imago.[2] The adult stage of Hexagenia limbata can be as much as 27 mm (1.1 in) long. The females tend to be slightly larger than the males but have smaller eyes. The forewings are long and membranous while the hind wings are much smaller and have dark margins. The tip of the abdomen bears two long cerci or tails. When the insect is at rest, the wings are folded vertically above the back. The color and body markings are somewhat variable but this insect is usually some shade of yellow, pale brown or white.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Miner, Angela (2014). "Hexagenia limbata". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2015-06-06.
- ^ Meck, Charles R.; Hoover, Greg (1996). Great Rivers - Great Hatches. Stackpole Books. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-0-8117-2770-9.