Western Iron Dun vs Common Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Iron Dun | Common Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epeorus longimanus | Ephemera danica |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Heptageniidae | Ephemeridae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 15-25 mm body |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Western Iron Dun
An iconic eastern mayfly that signals the start of spring fly-fishing season. Nymphs have only two tails and cling to rocks in fast current.
Did You Know?
It was named after Theodore Gordon, considered the father of American dry-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.
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.