Giant Michigan Mayfly vs Mother of Pearl Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Michigan Mayfly Mother of Pearl Caddisfly
Scientific Name Hexagenia bilineata Mystacides azurea
Order Ephemeroptera Trichoptera
Family Ephemeridae Leptoceridae
Size 18-28 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Michigan Mayfly

A large burrowing mayfly with two dark stripes on its thorax. Nymphs dig into soft clay and silt bottoms of large rivers.

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Did You Know?

Mass emergences along the Great Lakes have caused road closures due to the slippery accumulation of millions of dead adults.

Mother of Pearl Caddisfly

A small iridescent caddisfly with long antennae and pearly blue-green wings. It swarms in large mating flights over lakes and slow rivers.

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Did You Know?

The iridescent wing scales of this caddisfly create a shimmering blue-green appearance unique among the Trichoptera.