Double gill mayfly (Neozephlebia)

Taxonomic group

Leptophlebiidae: Neozephlebia

Diagnostic features

Neozephlebia mayfly nymphs have a flattened body form, a long oval abdomen and very slender double gills.

[Neozephlebia]. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Neozephlebia. Image: Stephen Moore

[Neozephlebia]. Slender abdominal gills. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Neozephlebia. Slender abdominal gills. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

Larvae are less common than other mayflies like Zephlebia or Austroclima but they can be found in gravelly or woody, often bush-covered streams.

Feeding

Leptophlebiid mayflies feed by scraping diatom algae and other organic matter from stone or plant surfaces.

Indicator value

Hard bottom: 7
Soft bottom: 7.6

The tolerance values (ranging from 0 to 10) give an indication of which are the sensitive taxa (values of 8 or more) and which are the tolerant taxa (values of 3 or less). For more information see: Indicator species

Neozephlebia larvae are most common in streams and rivers with good water quality. They have tolerance values of 7 (hard bottom sites) and 7.6 (soft bottom sites).