Crass (1947) described this species as follows: Hindwing apically rounded; costal process double, both projections acute, one upright and the other curved; two simple longitudinal veins; 7-10 mostly incomplete pterostigmal cross-veins. Terminal segment of male genital styles elongate. Male: Headlight castaneous, eyes and ocelli black, turbinate eyes bright yellow. Prothorax dark castaneous; meso- and metathorax ochraceous, with castaneous markings and pale joinings laterally. Scutellum pale. Abdominal segments I-VI pale ochraceous, with castaneous margins, and a light median stripe and submedian markings; terminal segments suffused castaneous, VII with submedian pale stripes. Ventrally pale yellowish. Legs ochraceous. Cerci and genital styles whitish, the former faintly annulated. Wings clear, with slight suffusion in pterostigmal area; neuration whitish. Female similar, but more orange-yellow than 6, and with smaller castaneous markings on the abdomen. Body, male 4.5-5.0 mm; female 4.5-5.0 mm; wing, male 4.5-5.0 mm, female 5.0-5.5 mm; hind-wing about 0.9 mm; cerci 8 mm. Subimago: Similar, but duller. Wings greyish yellow. Nymph: Gills 7 pairs, small and rounded. Abdominal segments not denticulate. Claw with five small denticles. Mandible with prostheca; 2nd joint of labial palp elongate; terminal joint very small. Head brownish-green, with a pale streak between the eyes, which are black. Thorax deep olive-brown with pale streaks and markings, especially laterally; ventrally whitish. Abdominal segments, except V and V, mostly olive-brown, with pale dorso-lateral areas and an anterior median pale streak; V and VI mostly pale with anterior and dorso-lateral dark areas. Abdomen ventrally whitish with faint brown lateral bands. Legs pale, with dark knees. Gills opaque, trachez not distinct. Cerci uniform, pale brownish. Body up to 5.5 mm; cerci 2.5 (lateral) and 1.25 (median).

It is noteworthy that while the imagos of this species and sudafricanum both have hindwings with bifid costal processes, the nymphs also resemble each other, especially in the form of the labial palp, although the 3rd joint is somewhat larger in parvum. This species has not been bred in captivity, but the nymph has been correlated with the imago from a specimen which died when on the point of hatching and in which the adult characters could be distinguished (Crass 1947).

South Africa.

Localities: Kokstad, Dec. 1940; Curry's Post, Yarrow stream, Lions and Loteni Rivers, March to May (Crass 1947).

Minnow mayfly nymphs are active swimmers or clingers (http://lifeinfreshwater.net/mayfly-nymphs-ephemeroptera/).

Herbivore - Folivore (leaf-eating)

Lifespan of adult mayflies ranges from several hours up to two days. Depends on the species and an ambient temperature plays a role too. The adult lifespan is so short, that there is no need for the insects to feed. Therefore the adult mayflies lack functional mouthparts and digestive tract. Nymphs are collectors/scrapers feeding on algae and detritus (http://lifeinfreshwater.net/mayfly-nymphs-ephemeroptera/).

Mayflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Their life cycle includes four stages – egg, nymph, subimago and adult (imago). Most species produce one or two generations per year (http://lifeinfreshwater.net/mayfly-nymphs-ephemeroptera/).

Adults in the genus Afroptilum fly in autumn, spring and summer (Barber-James, undated).

Species found in rivers that form part of the grassland biome.