Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) » Small Minnow Mayflies (Baetidae)
Photo#223776
small green insect
Copyright © 2008 andrewbateman

small green insect
Brossard, Quebec, Canada
September 9, 2008
This was photographed at night. It looks like a midge? Roughly 4-5mm long. Two very fine hair-like processes extend from the end of the tail and were longer than the rest of the insect. Through the time I watched it, it moved its tail from side to side continuously. Any information would be appreciated, thanks,
Contributed by andrewbateman on 10 September, 2008 - 5:56pm
Last updated 28 October, 2008 - 12:38am

Baetidae
John is right. This is a female baetid imago, and "tail-wagging" is a habit of these little mayflies.
… Lloyd Gonzales, 10 September, 2008 - 7:18pm

 
Thanks
Thanks for the ID, that's very intersting.
… andrewbateman, 10 September, 2008 - 8:15pm

Hmmmm...
could it be a mayfly (Ephemeroptera)? Here is a tail wagger I had
… John R. Maxwell, 10 September, 2008 - 5:57pm

 
mayfly
Yes, it might well be, thanks
… andrewbateman, 10 September, 2008 - 7:02pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.