Mayfly Species Ironodes lepidus

Quite similar to Ironodes nitidus, but smaller; a small spine-like structure is present near apex of each division of penes.

Frontal portion of head pale red-brown; a narrow creamy line below base of antennae; area around bases of antennae and ocelli, and vertex of head, quite bright red-brown. Thorax red-brown, olive-tinged; narrow yellowish streaks anterior to fore wing, below wing bases, and above bases of middle and hind legs. Very narrow blackish oblique line posterior to each coxa; apical margins of coxae and trochanters deep red-brown. Pronotum shaded with smoky brown. Legs light red-brown; tarsi smoky, or shaded with olive brown. Apex of fore tibia, tarsal joinings and claws somewhat darker. Wings hyaline; venation dark red-brown. Pale brownish tinge in stigmatic area. About 7 basal costal cross veins; 4 or 5 between bulla and stigma; 10 to 11 stigmatic veins, simple, very slightly aslant.

Abdominal segments 2-7 semi-hyaline; yellowish brown with slight olive tinge. Anterior margins narrowly pale hyaline on tergites and sternites, producing an indistinct annulate appearance. Posterior margins narrowly opaque; a blackish area on this margin, in dorsal portion of each tergite. Tracheae outlined in brownish black; a continuous dark wavy line along pleural fold. Segments 8-10 opaque, slightly deeper in color than preceding segments, and with reddish tinge; pleural fold narrowly creamy. Tails and genitalia reddish to olive brown. Penes (see figs. 108, 109) with a small spine-like structure near apex of each division, which is not present in other species of this genus. Numerous small spines on ventral surface.