Double gill mayfly (Atalophlebioides)

Taxonomic group

Leptophlebiidae: Atalophlebioides

Diagnostic features

Atalophlebioides mayfly nymphs have a flattened body form, double gills and a wide labrum (top “lip”).

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

[Atalophlebioides]. Wide labrum. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Atalophlebioides. Wide labrum. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

Atalophlebioides larvae are uncommon in most regions but they tend to occur in stony, slow-flowing streams in or near areas of native bush.

Feeding

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

Indicator value

Hard bottom: 9
Soft bottom: 4.4

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

Atalophlebioides are not often found in high abundance, but they are probably indicative of moderate to good water quality. They have tolerance values of 9 (hard bottom sites) and 4.4 (soft bottom sites).