Blue-winged Olive Mayfly vs Grizzled Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blue-winged Olive Mayfly Grizzled Skipper
Scientific Name Serratella ignita Pyrgus malvae
Order Ephemeroptera Lepidoptera
Family Ephemerellidae Hesperiidae
Size 7-10 mm body 23-29 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern (declining in northern range)

Blue-winged Olive Mayfly

A common mayfly of clean rivers and streams with distinctive blue-grey wings. One of the most important mayflies for fly fishing. Nymphs cling to stones in fast water.

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Did You Know?

So important to fly fishers that dozens of artificial fly patterns have been designed to imitate its various life stages.

Grizzled Skipper

A tiny butterfly with dark brown wings chequered with white spots, resembling a small moth. It basks with wings spread flat in sheltered spots on warm spring days.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillar lives inside a tiny tent made by folding and silk-binding the edge of a leaf.