Black Mayfly vs Arctic Caddisfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Mayfly | Arctic Caddisfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ephemera danica var. nigra | Apatania zonella |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Ephemeridae | Apataniidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Arctic Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard, Arctic Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black Mayfly
A dark color variant of the common Green Drake mayfly found in some European populations. The dark form is more prevalent in upland, acidic waters. Important for trout feeding.
Did You Know?
The dark form predominates in acidic upland streams while the typical yellow form prefers alkaline lowland rivers.
Arctic Caddisfly
A small, hairy-winged caddisfly with dark brown wings held tent-like over the body. Larvae build portable cases from sand grains and small stones. It is one of the most northerly distributed caddisflies in the world.
Did You Know?
Some Arctic populations of this caddisfly reproduce by parthenogenesis, with females producing offspring without mating.