Small Spurwing Mayfly vs Pond Olive Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Spurwing Mayfly Pond Olive Mayfly
Scientific Name Centroptilum luteolum Cloeon dipterum
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Baetidae Baetidae
Size 5-8 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Gardens
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Spurwing Mayfly

A tiny, elegant mayfly with a distinctive spur on its hindwing. It is widespread in European streams and rivers with good water quality.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most mayflies that swarm over water, small spurwings often emerge individually and drift with the current.

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.