Hexagenia is a genus of mayfly in the family Ephemeridae, the common burrower mayflies.[1]

Hexagenia
Hexagenia limbata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Ephemeroptera
Family: Ephemeridae
Genus: Hexagenia
Walsh, 1863

Species

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These eight species belong to the genus Hexagenia:

Data sources: i = ITIS,[2] c = Catalogue of Life,[3] g = GBIF,[4] b = Bugguide.net[5]

General information

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Hexagenia are commonly referred to as burrower mayflies as they create u-shaped tunnels in the aquatic substrate where they reside. This shape allows them to draw in water from the surrounding areas by undulating their body near the mouth of the tunnel. Hexagenia feed upon microscopic organisms suspended in the water column and thus draw in all the food and oxygen they require. Therefore, these burrowing mayflies are often found in shallow substrates of streams and lakes, specifically in areas of slow current.

Hexagenia is similar in size and appearance to Pentagenia. The main difference is the rounded frontal process adjacent to the mandibular tusks in Hexagenia. In Pentagenia, this frontal process comes to a point.

 
Hexagenia frontal process
 

References

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  1. ^ "Mayfly Central". Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  2. ^ "Hexagenia Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  3. ^ "Browse Hexagenia". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  4. ^ "Hexagenia". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  5. ^ "Hexagenia Genus Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-05-06.