Trico Mayfly vs Abedus Giant Water Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Trico Mayfly Abedus Giant Water Bug
Scientific Name Tricorythodes stygiatus Abedus herberti
Order Ephemeroptera Hemiptera
Family Leptohyphidae Belostomatidae
Size 3-6 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions North America Southwestern United States, northern Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Abedus Giant Water Bug

A medium-sized, broad-bodied giant water bug found in streams and springs of the American Southwest. Males are well known for their egg-brooding behavior, carrying eggs on their backs. It is adapted to flowing water habitats.

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Did You Know?

It has been a model organism for studying sexual selection because females compete aggressively for males, who are a limited resource due to their extended parental care duties.