South African Prong-Gill Mayfly vs Trico Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South African Prong-Gill Mayfly Trico Mayfly
Scientific Name Adenophlebia auriculata Tricorythodes stygiatus
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Leptophlebiidae Leptohyphidae
Size 8-12 mm 3-6 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.

Trico Mayfly

A tiny mayfly that forms enormous morning spinner falls over calm streams and rivers. Males have distinctive white bodies with black thoraxes.

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Did You Know?

Trico spinner falls create such dense blankets of spent mayflies on the water surface that trout gorge themselves to satiation.