Mountain Flathead Mayfly vs Twin-spotted Spiketail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Flathead Mayfly Twin-spotted Spiketail
Scientific Name Cinygmula ramaleyi Cordulegaster maculata
Order Ephemeroptera Odonata
Family Heptageniidae Cordulegastridae
Size 7-10 mm 68-78 mm
Habitat Mountains Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America North America
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.

Twin-spotted Spiketail

A large, dark brown spiketail with paired yellow spots on each abdominal segment. It is the most common spiketail in eastern North America.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae lie partially buried in stream-bottom leaf litter and ambush passing prey.