Mountain Flathead Mayfly vs Pond Olive Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Flathead Mayfly Pond Olive Mayfly
Scientific Name Cinygmula ramaleyi Cloeon dipterum
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Heptageniidae Baetidae
Size 7-10 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Mountains Gardens
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mountain Flathead Mayfly

An alpine mayfly restricted to high-elevation cold streams in the Rocky Mountains. Nymphs feed on diatom films on boulder surfaces.

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Did You Know?

This species cannot survive in water temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius.

Pond Olive Mayfly

One of the few mayflies that breeds in still water including garden ponds and rain barrels. Unusually for a mayfly, females are ovoviviparous.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the only mayflies that gives birth to live nymphs rather than laying eggs, a unique trait in the order.