Long-Tailed Mayfly vs Brushleg Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-Tailed Mayfly | Brushleg Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Palingenia longicauda | Isonychia bicolor |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Palingeniidae | Isonychiidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm body; 60-80 mm cerci | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Long-Tailed Mayfly
The largest European mayfly with body and cerci reaching over 120 mm. Its spectacular mass hatches on the Tisza River are a famous natural phenomenon.
Did You Know?
The annual "Tisza bloom" of this mayfly along the Tisza River lasts only a few hours but has been celebrated in Hungarian culture for generations.
Brushleg Mayfly
A large, fast-swimming mayfly with forelegs fringed with bristles for filter feeding. Nymphs inhabit swift riffles of large streams and rivers.
Did You Know?
Unlike most mayflies, nymphs crawl out of water onto rocks to emerge as adults rather than hatching at the surface.