Heptageniidae

Taxobox
name = Heptageniidae

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image_caption = "Rhithrogena germanica"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Ephemeroptera
subordo = Schistonota
superfamilia = Heptagenoidea
familia = Heptageniidae
subdivision_ranks = Genera include
subdivision ="Acanthomola"
"Afghanurus"
"Anepeorus"
"Cinygma"
"Cinygmula"
"Darthus"
"Ecdyonurus"
"Electrogena"
"Epeorus"
"Heptagenia"
"Ironodes"
"Kageronia"
"Leucrocuta"
"Macdunnoa"
"Nixe"
"Raptoheptagenia"
"Rhithrogena"
"Stenacron"
"Stenonema"

Heptageniidae (Synonym: Ecdyonuridae) is a family of mayflies with around 500 described species with a mainly Holarctic distribution. These are generally rather small mayflies with two long tails. The wings are usually clear with prominent venation although species with variegated wings are known. As in most mayflies, the males have large compound eyes but not divided into upper and lower parts (the group is sometimes referred to as flat-headed mayflies).

Heptageniids breed mainly in fast-flowing streams (an alternative common name is stream mayflies) but some species will use still waters. The nymphs have a flattened shape and are usually dark in colour. They use a wide range of food sources with herbivorous, scavenging and predatory species known.

References

*cite book|last=Chinery|first=Michael|title=Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe|year=1986|publisher=Collins|location=London|id=ISBN 0-00-219170-9
*cite book|last=McGavin|first=George C.|title=Insects and Spiders|year=2005|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=London|id=ISBN 1-4053-0596-7
* [http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=11225 Fauna Europaea]
* [http://www.nearctica.com/nomina/oddbugs/epheml.htm#anchor129774 Nomina Insecta Nearctica]