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Small minnow fly

Fam. Baetidae

Description:

Some kind of Mayfly? Body Size about 1 cm.

Habitat:

Meadowland, close to a River. (Mbuluzi Gorge, Mlawula Nature reserve)

Notes:

Baetidae is a family of mayflies with about 900 described species distributed worldwide. The males often have very large eyes, shaped like turrets above the head (this is known as "turbinate condition"). Baetids breed in a wide range of waters from lakes and streams to ditches and even water butts. The nymphs are strong swimmers and feed mainly on algae.

1 Species ID Suggestions

KateBraun
KateBraun 9 years ago
Small minnow fly
Baetidae Baetidae


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7 Comments

luteum stenonema
luteum stenonema 9 years ago

The compound eyes are incorrect for baetis of any kind. It is in the superfamily of Heptageniidae. With the eyes almost touching suggest the genus Epeorus.

Tiz
Tiz 9 years ago

Lets go for that Kate :) Thanks a lot!

KateBraun
KateBraun 9 years ago

This might be a small minnow fly (Baetidae), one of the types of mayflies:

http://www.ispotnature.org/node/564390

Tiz
Tiz 10 years ago

It is a bit bizarre, and cartoony-looking! I hope that an ID will be suggested one day too Tom, but I have low expectations...
Thank you for your comments :)

medusasnakes123
medusasnakes123 10 years ago

Wow! It's back makes it look like it has cartoon eyes!

Tom15
Tom15 10 years ago

Nice mayfly Tina! Hope you get it identified further.

pamsai
pamsai 10 years ago

Amazing Tiz, such a bizarre looking creature...

Tiz
Spotted by
Tiz

Sifundza seLubombo, Swaziland

Spotted on Apr 2, 2014
Submitted on Apr 2, 2014

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Reference

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