Early Brown Spinner
Leptophlebia cupida
This record describes Leptophlebia cupida (species). Recorded family: Leptophlebiidae. Recorded order: Ephemeroptera.
Identification and Appearance
Rusty red to dark brown, fore legs dark and other legs light, brownish wings, short middle tail, and small hindwing that sticks outward.
Wikipedia reference for Leptophlebia cupida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptophlebia.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)
- Suborder
- Furcatergalia
- Family
- Leptophlebiidae (Pronggilled Mayflies)
- Genus
- Leptophlebia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
across Canada, n. & e. US map
Seasonal Activity
Spring
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Leptophlebia cupida (Say 1823)
About Mayflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Ephemeroptera, the group containing Leptophlebia cupida. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Ephemeroptera (mayflies) includes ~3,500 described species. Adult mayflies are famous for their extraordinarily short lifespans - some species live as adults for only 5 minutes to 24 hours, the shortest adult lifespan of any insect.
Ecological role of the group
Mayfly nymphs spend 1-2 years developing in freshwater before emerging as adults. They are key bioindicators - their presence indicates clean, well-oxygenated water. They are also a primary food source for freshwater fish.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Mayfly hatches are so massive they appear on weather radar - a 2014 Mississippi River hatch near La Crosse, Wisconsin was tracked by the National Weather Service. Mass emergences can cause slippery road conditions and traffic hazards.
Recorded sources for this group: National Weather Service, EPA bioassessment protocols. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Early Brown Spinner (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Brown Spinner
What is Early Brown Spinner?
Early Brown Spinner (Leptophlebia cupida) is a species in the family Leptophlebiidae, within the order Ephemeroptera.
How big is Early Brown Spinner?
8-16 mm
How do you identify Early Brown Spinner?
Rusty red to dark brown, fore legs dark and other legs light, brownish wings, short middle tail, and small hindwing that sticks outward.
Where is Early Brown Spinner found?
Range: across Canada, n. & e. US map
When is Early Brown Spinner active?
Early Brown Spinner: seasonal activity - Spring.