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"Small minnow" mayflies |
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Diverse family includes the prevalent "Baetis" , "Callibaetis" & "Centroptilum" genera. Most larva able to hold themselves in strong current. Others partial to quiet ponds/lakes of mountain west. Commonly found on rocks, driftwood and gravel in fast-flowing areas of larger rivers; primarily midwest; hatches peak in August; multiple broods annually. | |
| larva = 4-5 mm | adult = 5-8 mm | ||
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"Brushlegged" mayflies |
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Found throughout the eastern & central states, primarily in shallow water with marginal quality and abundant algae. 30 species, 3 genera. Primary species, "Isonychia", widespread. Riffles of streams & rivers. Acts like "fish out of water" in hand. | |
| larva = 10-12 mm | adult = 11-14 mm | ||
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"Flatheaded" mayflies |
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Large, widespread group. 100 species. Primarily fast-water lotic and in shallow littoral areas of lakes. A few are very deep (25-100 meters.) "Stenonema", "Rhithrogena" & "Epeorus" genera important to fly fishing. Many "hang" in the surface film up to 40 seconds before hatching. | |
| larva = 8-11 mm | adult = 7-12 mm | ||
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"Pronggill" mayflies |
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70 species. Associated with porous rocks, gravel, woody debris, rooty banks of sluggish eastern & midwestern streams. Some lentic inhabitants. Larva awkward swimmers with long antenna & tails. Migrate up to a mile. May make up to 15 trips from bottom to surface before hatching. Unafraid of light. |
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| larva = 6-8 mm | adult = 6-8 mm | ||
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"Burrowing" mayflies |
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Larva generally burrow in silt/sand substrates in rivers, ponds & lakes. Adults have large bodies & patterned wings. 13 species. "Ephemera" & "Hexagenia" genus most widely important. Spectacular hatches common along large rivers and lakes. |
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| larva = 12-32 mm | adult = 20-28 mm | ||
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"Spiny crawler" mayflies |
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"Ephemerella" insects key to fly fishing as the largest & most widely distributed mayflies found in all water types. 80 species widespread throughout North America, except far west; hatches May through September around ponds, lake margins & streams. Duns many times leave nymphal shuck beneath the surface, then spend alluring moments on the surface preparing for flight. |
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| larva = 12-15 mm | adult = 14-18 mm | ||
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"Small squaregill" mayflies |
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18 species in North America, particularly abundant in the eastern half. Inhabit all habitats. Larva secretive & hard to locate. Large numbers of adult squaregills are frequently seen attracted to evening lights near ponds, lakes or streams. "Caenis" & "Brachycerus" genus important to fly fishers. | |
| larva = 2-8 mm | adult = 3-4 mm | ||
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"Primitive minnow" mayflies |
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50 species occupy aquatic habitats of various littoral areas of lentic waters, small streams & sandy-bottomed rivers. Larva are excellent swimmers, leaving the water to hatch from rocks or debris above waterline. Egg-laying is over flowing water. | |
| larva = 6-20 mm | adult = 8-16 mm | ||
