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

Hexagenia is a genus ofmayfly in the familyEphemeridae, the common burrower mayflies.^[1]

These eight species belong to the genusHexagenia:

• Hexagenia albivitta(Walker, 1853) ^{i c g}
• Hexagenia atrocaudataMcDunnough, 1924 ^{i c g b}
• Hexagenia bilineata(Say, 1824) ^{i c g b}
• Hexagenia callineuraBanks, 1914 ^{c g}
• Hexagenia limbata(Serville, 1829) ^{i c g b}
• Hexagenia mexicanaEaton, 1885 ^{i c g}
• Hexagenia orlandoTraver, 1931 ^{i c g b}
• Hexagenia rigidaMcDunnough, 1924 ^{i c g b}

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

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 toPentagenia. The main difference is the rounded frontal process adjacent to the mandibular tusks inHexagenia. InPentagenia, this frontal process comes to a point.

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