Dark Blue Quill vs Arctic Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dark Blue Quill | Arctic Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paraleptophlebia mollis | Baetis bundyae |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Leptophlebiidae | Baetidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Arctic Canada, Alaska, northern Scandinavia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dark Blue Quill
A small dusky-winged mayfly of Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are slow crawlers among leaf debris in gentle currents.
Did You Know?
It is one of the earliest mayflies to emerge each spring, sometimes hatching when snow still lines the streambanks.
Arctic Mayfly
A small, delicate mayfly with transparent wings and two long tail filaments. Nymphs are agile swimmers in cold Arctic streams. Adults emerge for a very brief mating flight during the short Arctic summer.
Did You Know?
Adult mayflies live only a few hours to a few days, just long enough to mate and lay eggs before dying.