Subclass Pterygota:
Pterous (winged) insects, develop by metamorphosis
Division Exopterygota
(exo = outer; pteron = wing)
Paleopteran orders
(Paleo = ancient; pteron = wing)
Order Ephemeroptera
(ephmemeros = living; pteron = wing)
COMMON NAMES: Mayflies, shadflies
QUICK DESCRIPTION: Adults have wings, chewing mouthparts (which they don't use, because they die before they feed as adults -- usually within one day), small antennae, and two or three long "tails". Larvae live in fresh water, have biting mouthparts and feed on plants and small aquatic animals. Larvae can live as long as four years.
MINUTE DETAILS: Adults small to medium-sized elongate fragile insects; antennae short and hair-like; mouthparts vestigial, compound eyes large, three ocelli present; generally two pairs of membranous wings (though hind pair greatly reduced) held vertically over body when at rest, with many crossveins; abdomen terminated with two very long cerci and frequently a median caudal filament.
Larvae aquatic; antennae short, compound eyes well developed, biting mouthparts; abdomen usually with long cerci and a median caudal filament, and four to seven pairs of segmental tracheal gills.
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