Snow Fly vs Mountain Flathead Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snow Fly Mountain Flathead Mayfly
Scientific Name Chionea araneoides Cinygmula ramaleyi
Order Diptera Ephemeroptera
Family Limoniidae Heptageniidae
Size 5-8 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Mountains Mountains
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia, North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Snow Fly

A wingless crane fly that walks on snow surfaces in winter to find mates.

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Did You Know?

Its antifreeze proteins allow activity at temperatures well below freezing.

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.