Olive Drake Mayfly vs Pale Evening Dun

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Olive Drake Mayfly Pale Evening Dun
Scientific Name Ephemera lineata Heptagenia adaequata
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Ephemeridae Heptageniidae
Size 15-22 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Olive Drake Mayfly

A large burrowing mayfly with distinctive mottled brown wings. Nymphs excavate U-shaped burrows in sandy stream bottoms.

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Did You Know?

Mass emergences at dusk can be so dense they appear on weather radar.

Pale Evening Dun

A flat-bodied mayfly whose nymphs press tightly against rocks in swift currents. Adults emerge at dusk during summer months.

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Did You Know?

Its extremely flattened body allows it to resist currents that would sweep away most other insects.