Spiny Crawler Mayfly vs Common Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spiny Crawler Mayfly Common Mayfly
Scientific Name Ephemerella subvaria Ephemera danica
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Ephemerellidae Ephemeridae
Size 8-12 mm 15-25 mm body
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spiny Crawler Mayfly

A mayfly important to fly anglers and known as the Hendrickson in fishing culture.

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Did You Know?

Its springtime hatch is one of the most anticipated events in fly fishing.

Common Mayfly

Adults have no functional mouths and live only 1-3 days. Massive synchronized emergences called "hatches" are among natures great spectacles. Excellent water quality indicators.

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Did You Know?

Mayflies have the shortest adult lifespan of any insect — some species live just 5 minutes as adults, long enough only to mate. They are the only insects with a winged sub-adult stage.