Contribution to the Knowledge of Procloeon harveyi Kimmins (Insecta: Ephemeroptera): Morphology and Ecology

Abstract

A detailed study was made on the morphology of larvae, male and female subimago and imago in their natural habitat inKolkata (Calcutta, West Bengal, India). Important variation in colour patches was noted in imagos from natural and artificially raised individuals. Distribution and number of taxa under the genus show them to be predominantly Palearctic and Nearctic species. However, Procloeon harveyi is predominantly an Oriental species. Breeding experiment revealed the so far unknown mouth parts, legs and gill structures of the larval stage which are valuable taxonomic information to separate related species. A note on aquatic parameters of the breeding ecosystem is given. Fecundity and adult emergence at laboratory were measured. Observations on larval feeding, posture, gill ventilation and behaviour were made. Drawings of mouth parts and photography of larva, male and female imagos and male forceps are also provided.