Lance-tipped Darner vs Blue-Winged Olive

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lance-tipped Darner Blue-Winged Olive
Scientific Name Aeshna constricta Baetis tricaudatus
Order Odonata Ephemeroptera
Family Aeshnidae Baetidae
Size 65-74 mm 5-9 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lance-tipped Darner

A large brown darner with blue spots common in eastern North America. It is a late-season flier, active well into autumn.

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Did You Know?

Its name refers to the lance-shaped cerci (tail appendages) used by males to grasp females during mating.

Blue-Winged Olive

A small olive-colored mayfly with distinctive bluish-gray wings, abundant in clean streams across North America. It produces multiple generations per year.

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Did You Know?

Blue-winged olives are among the few mayflies that hatch in winter, providing vital food for trout during cold months.