Lackawanna River Mayflies
Order: EphemeropteraKey features:
- three hair-like tails (the exception to this is the genus Epeorus which has two tails, pictured below)
three pairs of legs
one claw per tarsi (leg)
size range: 1/4-1"
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Lackawanna River Mayflies |
Two basic types of mayflies exist in the River. Clinging mayflies ( Ephemerella, Eurylophella, Stenonema, Epeorus ) have very long, fragile tails, and are typically brown like the rocks they "cling" onto. Free-swimming mayflies ( Baetis, Isonychia ) are fast swimmers and are usually dark colored as well. Mayflies "graze" or "collect" algae and small bits of plant material for food.
Mayflies are pollution sensitive organisms which are primarily found within upper stretches of the River from the Mid Valley upstream.
Ephemerella and Stenonema are the two most common mayfly organisms and can be found as far downstream as South Scranton. The remaining pictured mayflies are
not nearly as common and are generally restricted to more upstream reaches of the River.
 | Family: Ephemerellidae Genus: Ephemerella |
 | Family: Heptageniidae Genus: Stenonema (early instar) |
 | Family: Heptageniidae Genus: Stenonema (late instar) |
 | Family: Baetidae Genus: Baetis |
 | Family: Oligoneuriidae Genus: Isonychia |
 | Family: Heptageniidae Genus: Epeorus |
 | Family: Ephemerellidae Genus: Eurylophella |