Mayflies

Roger is correct !!! Species always falls to speculation, sometimes even in the dissection process. Only a male can truly be identified and mistakes are made there as well. Stenacron are very tough to be sure on. My commenting to a likely species is to help others understand this complicated group and hope to inspire more conversation and photos on the genus . There has been at least 10 out 40 times while reviewing this sample I have considered this to be other than S pallidum. However I am still very convinced it is. You would be surprised the amount of hours I spend looking at one Stenacron sample here on the guide sometimes exceeding 50 HRS.

Unlike many genus and species there are so few Stenacron photos to work with. Therefore I feel we need to take advantage of every opportunity to explore them. Maybe one day in the future with the publication of my Stenacron book will the world further consider adding all the species to public list. To tell you the truth even the BOLD museum does not have a category for many of the Stenacron valid species. This poor genus was left so far behind
for way to long.


Mack.

Hi Sharon-

Vassily Belov just alerted me to your request. Unfortunately, as a result of your having placed this mayfly on the Guide page for "Flatheaded Mayflies" before I had the opportunity to review it on the Guide page for "Mayflies", it completely escaped my attention.

Although agreeing with Mack (The Stenonema Rangers of Ontario) that this mayfly is of genus Stenacron, I customarily avoid attempting to identify winged stages mayflies to species level from photos. Speculation concerning species (however enthusiastic) should not be reflected in Guide page placement, and I would hope Mack understands that.