Siphlonuridae
Guides
Siphlonurus
primitive minnow mayflies, gray drakes
Siphlonurus is a genus of primitive minnow mayflies in the family Siphlonuridae, comprising more than 40 described species. Species inhabit temporary and intermittent ponds, with nymphal development occurring during spring months and adult emergence in late May to June. Adults are non-feeding and rely on energy reserves accumulated during the aquatic larval stage. The genus is notable among fly fishers for species such as Siphlonurus quebecensis (early brown quill), which is imitated with specialized fly patterns.
Siphlonurus alternatus
Northern Summer Mayfly
Siphlonurus alternatus is a primitive minnow mayfly with a Holarctic distribution spanning North America and Europe. The species is univoltine, overwintering as eggs and emerging as adults between May and August. Larvae inhabit deep pools in rivers, streams, and calcareous lakes, where they feed on fine particulate organic detritus. Adults emerge during daylight hours, with males forming swarms at dawn and dusk.
Siphlonurus columbianus
Columbian gray drake
Siphlonurus columbianus is a species of mayfly in the family Siphlonuridae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1925. It is native to the Nearctic region and is one of several Siphlonurus species known to fly fishermen as "gray drakes." Adults are medium-sized mayflies with distinctive body segmentation. Like other members of its genus, it has a two-winged adult stage and an aquatic nymphal stage. The species is occasionally referenced in angling literature, though detailed biological studies appear limited.
Siphlonurus marshalli
primitive minnow mayfly
Siphlonurus marshalli is a species of primitive minnow mayfly in the family Siphlonuridae, described by Traver in 1934. It is found in North America. As a member of the family Siphlonuridae, it represents one of the more basal lineages within the order Ephemeroptera.
Siphlonurus mirus
primitive minnow mayfly
Siphlonurus mirus is a species of primitive minnow mayfly in the family Siphlonuridae. It has been studied in intermittent pond habitats, where its life history is synchronized to seasonal wet-dry cycles. The species is found in North America and belongs to a family of mayflies known for their importance to fly fishing.
Siphlonurus occidentalis
primitive minnow mayfly
Siphlonurus occidentalis is a species of primitive minnow mayfly in the family Siphlonuridae. It belongs to a group of mayflies considered evolutionarily basal within the order Ephemeroptera. The species has a broad distribution spanning from Central America through North America, including Alaska and northern Canada. Like other members of its family, it likely inhabits cool, flowing waters and exhibits the characteristic aquatic nymph and terrestrial adult life stages typical of mayflies.
Siphlonurus phyllis
primitive minnow mayfly
Siphlonurus phyllis is a species of primitive minnow mayfly in the family Siphlonuridae. It was described by McDunnough in 1923. The species is distributed across all of Canada and the northern United States.
Siphlonurus rapidus
Siphlonurus rapidus is a species of primitive minnow mayfly in the family Siphlonuridae. It was described by McDunnough in 1924. The species is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Siphlonurus, it is considered a "gray drake" mayfly of interest to fly fishermen.
Siphlonurus spectabilis
primitive minnow mayfly
Siphlonurus spectabilis is a species of primitive mayfly in the family Siphlonuridae, first described by Traver in 1934. It belongs to a group commonly known as minnow mayflies, characterized by their relatively primitive morphological features compared to other mayfly families. The species has a documented distribution in northern Canada and the western United States.