Japanese Burrowing Mayfly vs Giant Michigan Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Burrowing Mayfly Giant Michigan Mayfly
Scientific Name Ephemera japonica Hexagenia bilineata
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Ephemeridae Ephemeridae
Size 15-25 mm 18-28 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Japan, East Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Burrowing Mayfly

A large burrowing mayfly native to Japanese rivers and streams. It emerges in large numbers during early summer evenings.

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Did You Know?

It is culturally significant in Japan, where mayfly emergence has been celebrated in poetry for centuries.

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.