American Horse Fly vs Drake Mackerel Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Horse Fly | Drake Mackerel Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tabanus americanus | Ephemera glaucops |
| Order | Diptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Ephemeridae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Eastern and central United States | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Horse Fly
One of the largest horse flies in North America with a dark brown body and conspicuous green or purple iridescent eyes. Females deliver a painful slashing bite to obtain blood meals.
Did You Know?
Its knife-like mouthparts slice open skin rather than piercing it, which is why horse fly bites bleed so freely.
Drake Mackerel Mayfly
A large European burrowing mayfly with distinctive dark markings on its wings. It emerges in synchronous swarms during warm summer evenings.
Did You Know?
Swarms of this mayfly dancing over European rivers at sunset have inspired poets and naturalists for centuries.