Dark Blue Quill vs Earwig Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dark Blue Quill | Earwig Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paraleptophlebia mollis | Merope tuber |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Leptophlebiidae | Meropeidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
Earwig Scorpionfly
An extremely rare and primitive scorpionfly with forcep-like cerci reminiscent of earwigs. It is nocturnal and found in leaf litter of old-growth eastern North American forests.
Did You Know?
Merope tuber is so rarely encountered that its biology and ecology remain largely mysterious despite being described over 150 years ago.