Light Cahill Mayfly vs Painted Skimmer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Light Cahill Mayfly Painted Skimmer
Scientific Name Heptagenia solitaria Libellula semifasciata
Order Ephemeroptera Odonata
Family Heptageniidae Libellulidae
Size 9-13 mm 40-47 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Light Cahill Mayfly

A pale-colored mayfly highly prized by fly fishers for imitating hatches. Nymphs prefer moderate current over gravel substrates.

💡

Did You Know?

The Light Cahill dry fly pattern, designed to mimic this species, has been used since the 1880s.

Painted Skimmer

An attractive dragonfly with amber-tinted wings marked by brown bands and spots. It is an early-season flier in eastern North America.

💡

Did You Know?

It is one of the earliest dragonflies to emerge in spring across the eastern United States.