South American Giant Mayfly vs Western Ameletid Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Giant Mayfly Western Ameletid Mayfly
Scientific Name Campsurus major Ameletus cooki
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Polymitarcyidae Ameletidae
Size 15-25 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions South America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Giant Mayfly

A large tropical mayfly found in South American rivers and floodplains. Males have distinctive elongated forelegs used for grasping females during mating flights.

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Did You Know?

Its mass emergences from Amazonian rivers provide a critical food pulse for fish and birds.

Western Ameletid Mayfly

A streamlined mayfly found in cold mountain streams of the Pacific Northwest. Nymphs are agile swimmers that dart between cobbles in riffles.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs are strong enough swimmers to move upstream against moderate currents.