Pond Olive Mayfly vs Cahill Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pond Olive Mayfly Cahill Mayfly
Scientific Name Cloeon dipterum Stenacron interpunctatum
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Baetidae Heptageniidae
Size 6-9 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Gardens Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Cahill Mayfly

A cream-to-tan colored mayfly found throughout eastern North America. It is named after the classic Light Cahill fly fishing pattern it inspired.

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Did You Know?

The Light Cahill fly pattern, inspired by this mayfly, has been a staple of American fly fishing since the 1880s.