Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#13023
Mayfly - Ephemera simulans - male

Mayfly - Ephemera simulans - Male
Colton Pt. State park. Tioga Cty., Tioga County, Pennsylvania, USA
June 17, 2003
This mayfly landed on my right hand. I don't know how I managed to snap this picture using only the left one.

Higher resolution image

Thank you
Moved from Ephemera.
How wonderful, to get a firm species ID after all these years! Thanks.

Kerry's right
This is a male Ephemera simulans imago. E. guttulata typically lacks dorsal markings in the imago stage, their black-and-white coloration leading to the nickname "coffin flies."

Ephemera
A male imago. The wing spotting and frons (face) not extending below the eyes is typical of the group. Most likely this is Ephemera simulans (Ephemeridae: Ephemerinae). E.guttata has dark terminal filaments (tails). E. varia lacks spotting on the hind wing and has a lighter abdomen. Another species of the northeast is E. triplex, and is described as having three forewing spots, none on the hind wing and a whitish dorsal abdomen. As always, this is just a best guess.

 
Mayfly
Thank you.