EPEORUS NYMPH BugBug BUMBLEBEESWEAT BEE MIMIC ofof the the Ephemeroptera:(Agapostemon(Laphria spp.)Heptageniidae flavicollis) MonthMonth AtAgapostemon first glance, is onea widespread may mistake this adaptationspreference. which Like other allow members them to tightly of Ascases, Epeorus multiple nymphs females develop may share toward aquatic insect for one belonging to the cling to rocks within swift currents—these Atgenus first of bees glance, in North youAmerica, may flavicollisHalictidae, ,they is commonly are short-tongued found aandadulthood, single beetles. nest entrance,their Once wing but they eachpads have will order Plecoptera (stoneflies) due to adaptations can cause them to be poor withbelieve 14 known this speciesis a bumblebee. across the acrossand have the difficulty eastern Unitedextracting States. nectar individualcollectedprogressively builds their darken. and prey, Once provisions they the nymph return her is the characteristic two tails (or cerci) of swimmers; should they be dislodged, they fully developed, the adult stage of Epeorus UnitedHowever, States it’s and shortCanada. straight Most They breed in decaying logs in toown their brood perch cells. and inject the stoneflies.However, this insect is a mayfly facefrom a higherdeep riskflowers. of predation. Agapostemon So, one could will typically emerge in late spring as a speciesantennae,in the genus have Epeorusalong-bearded metallic, which green belongs head face, to saydeciduouscan that often they be literally forests, observed cling and toforaging rocks as adults, for dear insectwinged non-reproductive with a digestive adult enzymeknown as a andthe family thorax tapering Heptageniidae, with a body black and knowngive yellow clues as the arelife!throughout often seen the summer resting and on fall sunlit on “subimago”that dissolvesBy or Rachel “duns.” its McLaughlin After internal several tissues. minutes “flat headed” or “cookie-headed” mayflies. tostriped its abdomen,true identity: however a some robber vegetation.plants in the family Asteraceae, such Theto days, robber Epeorus willfly undergo then anothersucks molt,the Epeorus is among the few genera of mayflies The genus Epeorus is commonly found in becoming a fully reproductive adult, known species may be entirely green. Their as the sunflower in the above image. fly.that have Robber only two flies cerci. inHeptageniidae the genus fast-flowing, pristine headwater streams fluidas an “imago”out, and or it“spinner”. is ready Following to hunt brightLaphriahosts over metallic are 100 commonspecies green colorationin North mimics America, of Robbereast of the Rocky flies Mountains. are predatory The presence again.mating, female Epeorus will deposit a few givesbumblebees.where rise Epeorus to their contains Theycommon 19 ofare these name: usually species. the insectsofAgapostemon this genus that is a can huntstrong be foundindicatorby perching nesting of good eggs at a time by tapping its abdomen on Insects within Heptageniidae are commonly water quality! Flyfishers may associate the metallicquite hairygreen bees.with black and andin the waiting ground acrossfor insects a variety to of pass soil the water’s surface, signifying that the next characterized as scrapers and grazers genus Epeorus, with commonly tied flies generation of Epeorus is underway. yellowthat consume bodies. algae The and detritus.bumblebee Epeorus by.suchtypes, They as from Quill prey veryGordons, uponsandy Pink to insects thickLadies, clay. likeand By Rachel McLaughlin Allmimicmayflies Agapostemon arepictured known are for here,theirgeneralist morphological Laphria Gray-WingedotherMost species robber Summer are flies, solitary, Quills. bees, however wasps, By Francesca Ferguson foragers, meaning they have no floral some will nest communally. In these FebruaryMay 2021 2021 This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. U.Ed SCI 19-93.