Ephemeridae

Ephemeridae
Ephemera danica
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Ephemeroptera
Suborder:	Schistonota
Superfamily:	Ephemeroidea
Family:	Ephemeridae

Ephemeridae is a family of mayflies with about 150 described species found throughout the world except Australia and Oceania. These are generally quite large mayflies (up to 35 mm) with either two or three very long tails. Many species have distinctively patterned wings.

Ephemerids 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). The nymphs are largely carnivorous and collect their food either through predation or scavenging.

Ephemera simulans male

Genera

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility includes:

1. Afromera Demoulin, 1955
2. Denina McCafferty, 1987
3. Eatonica Navás, 1913
4. Eatonigenia Ulmer, 1939
5. Ephemera Linnaeus, 1758
6. Hexagenia Walsh, 1863
7. Litobrancha McCafferty, 1971
8. Parabaetis Haupt, 1956
9. Pentagenia Walsh, 1863
10. Phthartus Handlirsch, 1904

References

• Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
• McGavin, George C. Insects and Spiders 2004
• Fauna Europaea
• Nomina Insecta Nearctica
• Data related to Ephemeridae at Wikispecies
• Media related to Ephemeridae at Wikimedia Commons