order
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_coleoptera_adult_v_160.png)
Coleoptera
“Adult Beetles”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_coleoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Coleoptera
“Larval Beetles”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_diptera_larva_v_160.png)
Diptera
“True Flies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_ephemeroptera_larva_v_160.png)
Ephemeroptera
“Mayflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_hemiptera_adult_v_160.png)
Hemiptera
“True Bugs”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_lepidoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Lepidoptera
“Aquatic Caterpillars, Snout Moths”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_megaloptera_larva_v_160.png)
Megaloptera
“Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_odonata_larva_v_160.png)
Odonata
“Dragonflies and Damselflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_plecoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Plecoptera
“Stoneflies”
![](/images/illustrations/illustration_trichoptera_larva_v_160.png)
Trichoptera
“Caddisflies”
family
Cordulegastridae
genus
Cordulegaster
“Spiketails, Biddies”
Genus Overview
5 species in North America. Th larvae are stout, hairy and with an abdomen tapering at midpoint. Behind the eyes the margin of the head is rounded.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 6.1
Upper Midwest: 3
Mid-Atlantic: 3
0 = least tolerant, 10 = most tolerant
FEEDING HABITS
Engulfer / Predator
MOVEMENT
Burrower
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lotic-depositional
Diagnostic Characters
order
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/209282/images.4d3a95c3fd9390bf1b301dde268a24e6/209282-120x120-22419-24811-9411-11803.jpg)
Abdomen with 5 Sharp Stiff Points or 3 Gills
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/192058/images.c0fda6483f719280cae941e4bef8d271/192058-120x120-4321-10160-7027-12866.jpg)
Labial Mask
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/209282/images.4d3a95c3fd9390bf1b301dde268a24e6/209282-120x120-7248-11545-8388-12685.jpg)
Two Pairs of Wing Pads
family
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/209282/images.4d3a95c3fd9390bf1b301dde268a24e6/209282-120x120-22419-24811-9411-11803.jpg)
5 Short Appendages on End of Abdomen
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/209282/images.4d3a95c3fd9390bf1b301dde268a24e6/209282-120x120-3362-6271-8314-11223.jpg)
Dorsal Premental Setae
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/192058/images.c0fda6483f719280cae941e4bef8d271/192058-120x120-4603-5954-9324-10675.jpg)
Margins of Labial Palps Toothed
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/209282/images.4d3a95c3fd9390bf1b301dde268a24e6/209282-120x120-3752-5819-8857-10924.jpg)
Palpal Setae
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/192058/images.c0fda6483f719280cae941e4bef8d271/192058-120x120-3976-10106-6889-13020.jpg)
Prementum and Palps Spoon-like
+ Expanded Character List
Order:
Nymph with mask-like labium below chewing mouthparts. Wings developing in wing pads. Segmented legs present, each with two claws.
Family:
The stout larva is without conspicuous terminal gills; the palpal lobes (apical projections at the end of the large, retractile labial prementum—“lower lip”) are triangular, much broader apically than basally and with large, irregular teeth.
Genus:
Antennae 7 segmented, Labial palps with irregularly spaced teeth, prementum sppon-shaped
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/209282/images.4d3a95c3fd9390bf1b301dde268a24e6/209282-335x240.jpg)
![](https://static.macroinvertebrates.org/gigapans/192058/images.c0fda6483f719280cae941e4bef8d271/192058-332x240.jpg)
Dorsal
Ventral