Burrowing Mayfly vs White-Gloved Howdy
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Burrowing Mayfly | White-Gloved Howdy |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hexagenia limbata | Isonychia sadleri |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Ephemeridae | Isonychiidae |
| Size | 18-32 mm body | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Burrowing Mayfly
Creates massive synchronized emergences so dense they appear on weather radar. Billions emerge simultaneously from lake bottoms where nymphs burrowed for up to two years.
Did You Know?
Mayfly emergences along the Mississippi River are so massive they show up on Doppler weather radar — billions of insects rising simultaneously look like approaching thunderstorms.
White-Gloved Howdy
Named for the white tips of its forelegs resembling gloves. Nymphs are powerful swimmers found in fast-flowing Appalachian streams.
Did You Know?
The distinctive white-tipped forelegs are visible even in flight, giving rise to the fanciful common name.