Brazilian Railroad Worm vs Quill Gordon Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brazilian Railroad Worm | Quill Gordon Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phrixothrix viviani | Epeorus pleuralis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Phengodidae | Heptageniidae |
| Size | 20-40 mm (female), 10-14 mm (male) | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | South America, Brazil | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Brazilian Railroad Worm
A tropical glowworm beetle with the remarkable ability to produce both green lateral lights and a red cephalic light. The female is large and larviform, while the male is a small, short-lived winged beetle.
Did You Know?
The red and green lights are produced by different luciferases, making this beetle a subject of intensive biochemical research.
Quill Gordon Mayfly
A medium-sized flat-bodied mayfly that clings to rocks in fast Appalachian streams. It is one of the first major mayfly hatches of the spring season.
Did You Know?
Quill Gordon nymphs have only two tails instead of the three found in most mayfly species.