Cloeon dipterum

Alternative names
Cloeon cognatum
Description

Length: 5 to 7 mm; wingspan: 13 to 25mm. A reddish brown mayfly. The compound eyes of C. dipterum show a striking sexual dimorphism, whereby females have lateral apposition eyes, while the males' eyes have additional dorsal "turban-shaped" parts that function as superposition eyes. These extra eyes are thought to enable the males to locate isolated females in the mating swarm.

Habitat

Around ponds and favouring small ponds.

When to see it

May to October

Life History

The larvae feed on algae and detritus in ponds, the adults do not feed at all.

UK Status

A common and widespread species in Britain

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Mayflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Ephemeroptera
Family:
Baetidae
Records on NatureSpot:
36
First record:
16/08/2010 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
20/09/2023 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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