Angler's Curse Mayfly vs Common Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Angler's Curse Mayfly Common Mayfly
Scientific Name Caenis rivulorum Ephemera danica
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Caenidae Ephemeridae
Size 3-5 mm 15-25 mm body
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Angler's Curse Mayfly

A tiny mayfly nicknamed for frustrating anglers who cannot imitate it on hook. Nymphs burrow in fine sediments of slow rivers and streams.

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Did You Know?

At just a few millimeters long, trout feed on them voraciously but anglers struggle to tie flies small enough to match.

Common Mayfly

Adults have no functional mouths and live only 1-3 days. Massive synchronized emergences called "hatches" are among natures great spectacles. Excellent water quality indicators.

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Did You Know?

Mayflies have the shortest adult lifespan of any insect — some species live just 5 minutes as adults, long enough only to mate. They are the only insects with a winged sub-adult stage.