March Brown Mayfly vs Coffin Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute March Brown Mayfly Coffin Fly
Scientific Name Rhithrogena germanica Conicera tibialis
Order Ephemeroptera Diptera
Family Heptageniidae Phoridae
Size 10-14 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

March Brown Mayfly

A spring-emerging mayfly with a brownish body and two tails, historically important to European fly fishing. Its flat nymphs cling to rocks in fast water.

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Did You Know?

This species has declined significantly in many European rivers due to pollution and is now considered an indicator of water quality.

Coffin Fly

A tiny humpbacked fly capable of burrowing through soil to reach buried remains. It is of forensic importance as it can colonize remains inaccessible to other insects.

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Did You Know?

It can burrow through over a meter of soil to reach a food source below ground.