Ephemeroptera and Odonata

Paleoptera: Ephemeroptera and Odonata

III. Insect Classification

Entognatha Ectognatha Pterygota Neoptera

Endopterygota (complete metamorphosis)

Polyphyletic

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology

- Most have two pairs of wings, with the hind wings greatly reduced in size in some groups (even absent). The wings are held upright; and the wings have many veins.

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology

- The abdomen has 10 segments and is fairly long, with 2 caudal filaments (the cerci) or 3 (like larvae).

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology

- The forelegs are often long, as well; particularly in the male where they can be as long as the body. In some families, pairs of legs may be vestigial.

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - aquatic larvae – feed on algae and detritus - larvae have leaf-like gills on abdominal segments

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - aquatic larvae – feed on algae and detritus - larvae have leaf-like gills on abdominal segments - larvae usually with three caudal appendages

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - aquatic larvae – feed on algae and detritus - larvae have leaf-like gills on abdominal segments - larvae usually with three caudal appendages - larvae may take 1-2 years to develop, usually longer at higher latitudes

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - molting occurs on surface of the water - subabult (subimago) flies to shoreline

Subadult has hairs along wing margins

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - molting occurs on surface of the water - subabult (subimago) flies to shoreline - mayflies are UNIQUE in that they are the only insects to molt once as winged adults; this usually occurs the next day, and it lives as a reproductive adult for 1-2 days at most.

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - molting occurs on surface of the water - subabult (subimago) flies to shoreline - mayflies are UNIQUE in that they are the only insects to molt once as winged adults; this usually occurs the next day, and it lives as a reproductive adult for 1-2 days at most. - adults lack mouthparts and do not feed

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - males of many species form swarms; females enter and pairs fly off; mating in flight with oviposition shortly thereafter

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - males of many species form swarms; females enter and pairs fly off; mating in flight with oviposition shortly thereafter - swarms off the great lakes (Erie in particular were HUGE, but lake pollution has reduced their abundances) … bodies piled up to 1.2 m Illinois (1953)

swarms

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - eggs laid on surface of water

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - Eaten by fish and terrestrial animals; important link in aquatic food chains

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - Eaten by fish and terrestrial animals; important link in aquatic food chains - sensitive to pollutants (soft bodies?) – many are indicator taxa of clean water (EPT score = abundance and diversity of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera)

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology C. Major Families

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology C. Major Families 1. Baetidae (135 species): adults small (front wings 2-12 mm and elongate-oval) hind wings very small or absent, and the only family with small hind wings and only 2 caudal filaments. Eyes turbinate

Baetidae

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology C. Major Families 1. Baetidae: 2. Ephemerellidae 3. Heptageniidae (127): sprawling nymphs; flattened adults with 2 caudal filaments

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology C. Major Families 1. Baetidae: 2. Ephemerellidae 3. Heptageniidae 4. Leptophlebiidae (66): 3 caudal filaments Wing (4-14mm) have strongly bent Cu-P vein and no free veinlets Forked gills on larval abdomen

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies A. Morphology B. Basic Biology C. Major Families 1. Baetidae: 2. Ephemerellidae 3. Heptageniidae 4. Leptophlebiidae 5. Ephemeridae (13) medium to large (wings 10-25mm); larvae tusked

Hexagenia limbata 2006 hatch on radar

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology All are fairly large and have 4 wings; in damselflies the wings are held over the back at rest, in dragonflies to the side.

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology Small antennae, large eyes

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology Prothorax small; thoracic segments tipped forward for grasping prey in flight

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology Abdomen long; male cerci short and modified to grasp females behind pronotum.

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - Larvae predaceous; have jointed, ‘elbowed’ mentum

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - Larvae predaceous; have jointed, ‘elbowed’ mentum - External Gills in Zygoptera (Damsels), Anal Gills in Anisoptera (dragons)

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - Larvae predaceous; have jointed, ‘elbowed’ mentum - External Gills in Zygoptera (Damsels), Anal Gills in Anisoptera (dragons) - may live as larvae for 1 year, 2 years, or 10 years depending on species and latitude.

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - Larvae emerge from water; adults emerge from larval skin

video

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology - Larvae emerge from water; adults emerge from larval skin - “teneral” until wings harden

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology Males have two sets of sex organs – one at end make sperm, that is transferred to the penis at front of abdomen

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology males grasp females behind prothorax – “in tandem”

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology female reaches up and under, contacting her genitalia with penis of male – “in wheel”

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology female stores sperm in ‘spermatheca’ – last sperm in is used, so selection has favored mate guarding by males, who guard females until she lays her eggs; sometimes staying in tandem.

Paleoptera I.

Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

II.

Odonata: Dragonflies

A. Morphology B. Basic Biology C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies 1. Calopterygidae (8): Larvae with long antennae and long legs; Adults are largest damsels, and most have darkening in wing

C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies 1. Calopterygidae 2. Lestidae (18): Spreadwings - Larvae with very narrow labium - adults with hanging wings

C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies 1. Calopterygidae 2. Lestidae 3. Coenagrionidae (93): Pond Damsels All the Rest!

C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies Suborder Anisoptera: Dragonflies 1. Aeshnidae (38): Darners Large; eyes meet along dorsal seam; triangles same

C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies Suborder Anisoptera: Dragonflies 1. Aeshnidae 2. Cordulegastridae (8): Biddies - Eyes meet at one point; triangles same

C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies Suborder Anisoptera: Dragonflies 1. Aeshnidae 2. Cordulegastridae 3. Gomphidae (93): Clubtails - Eyes separate; triangles same

C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies Suborder Anisoptera: Dragonflies 1. Aeshnidae 2. Cordulegastridae 3. Gomphidae (93): Clubtails 4. Libellulidae (93): Skimmers Triangles different; : toe in hind wing anal loop

C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies Suborder Anisoptera: Dragonflies 1. Aeshnidae 2. Cordulegastridae 3. Gomphidae 4. Libellulidae 5. Corduliidae (50): Emeralds Triangles differ; leg but no toe

C. Classification Suborder Zygoptera: Damselflies Suborder Anisoptera: Dragonflies 1. Aeshnidae 2. Cordulegastridae 3. Gomphidae 4. Libellulidae 5. Corduliidae 6. Macromiidae (10): Cruisers Triangles differ; anal loop rounded – no leg