South African Prong-Gill Mayfly vs Blue Quill

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South African Prong-Gill Mayfly Blue Quill
Scientific Name Adenophlebia auriculata Paraleptophlebia guttata
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Leptophlebiidae Leptophlebiidae
Size 8-12 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Mountains Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Southern Africa North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South African Prong-Gill Mayfly

A mayfly endemic to southern African mountain streams. Nymphs have distinctive forked gills used for respiration in oxygen-rich rapids.

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Did You Know?

Its uniquely forked gills are found only in African leptophlebiid mayflies.

Blue Quill

A delicate spring-emerging mayfly with bluish-gray body coloring. Nymphs prefer riffles with abundant leaf detritus in clean streams.

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Did You Know?

Anglers consider it one of the most important early-season hatches on trout streams.