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Photo#51465
Mayfly? - Callibaetis - male

Mayfly? - Callibaetis - Male
Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, USA
May 5, 2006
Size: ~10mm
Is this a mayfly? The overall shape of the wings and body look right, and the odd "helmet" eyes might mean Baetidae based on the comments on this image:

The tail is very different, and there do seem to be tiny hindwings in my specimen (hard to see at this size; there's a larger view here). I found this inside, but I assume it flew in an open window.

Images of this individual: tag all
Mayfly? - Callibaetis - male Mayfly? (tail) - Callibaetis - male Mayfly? (head) - Callibaetis - male

Mayfly
I would agree with you Peter, that it is Beatidae. I believe the lack of hind-wings is unique to that family as well...someone may know more.

Nice shot of the head!

 
Tony-Most Baetidae genera
Tony-

Most Baetidae genera have hind wings, as does this Callibaetis male imago. It's just that they are extremely small, narrowly oblong, and point more toward the rear than upright. Most of the other Baetidae genera have hind wings that are more difficult to spot, especially in the imago lifestage. The mayfly families with only two wings are Caenidae and Leptohyphidae.

www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

 
Thanks for the sex.
Thanks for the sex, Roger. Is that why this guy doesn't have long cerci?

 
Length of cerci
Peter-

Please forgive my not responding earlier, but I just noticed your question. Generally speaking, the imago has longer cerci that the subimago, but Callibaetis have reasonably long cerci in both winged life stages and both sexes. However, a mayfly's cerci are quite delicate, and can easily be broken off, as appears to be the case here.

The short incurved appendages at the end of the male abdomen are claspers, which are used (in addition to the fore legs) for holding the female during the coupling process. I suspect you already understand this, and am stating it for the benefit of others who may view this comment.

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