Small-eyed Sphinx Moth vs Blue-winged Olive Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small-eyed Sphinx Moth Blue-winged Olive Mayfly
Scientific Name Paonias myops Serratella ignita
Order Lepidoptera Ephemeroptera
Family Sphingidae Ephemerellidae
Size 45-65 mm wingspan 7-10 mm body
Habitat Orchards Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small-eyed Sphinx Moth

A pinkish-brown sphinx moth whose hindwings bear a small blue eyespot ringed in black and yellow. It relies on camouflage at rest but flashes the eyespot when threatened.

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Did You Know?

The species name 'myops' means 'short-sighted,' a reference to its notably small hindwing eyespot.

Blue-winged Olive Mayfly

A common mayfly of clean rivers and streams with distinctive blue-grey wings. One of the most important mayflies for fly fishing. Nymphs cling to stones in fast water.

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Did You Know?

So important to fly fishers that dozens of artificial fly patterns have been designed to imitate its various life stages.