Brushleg Mayfly vs Quill Gordon Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brushleg Mayfly Quill Gordon Mayfly
Scientific Name Isonychia bicolor Epeorus pleuralis
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Isonychiidae Heptageniidae
Size 12-18 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Brushleg Mayfly

A large, fast-swimming mayfly with forelegs fringed with bristles for filter feeding. Nymphs inhabit swift riffles of large streams and rivers.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most mayflies, nymphs crawl out of water onto rocks to emerge as adults rather than hatching at the surface.

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.

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Did You Know?

Quill Gordon nymphs have only two tails instead of the three found in most mayfly species.