Blue-Winged Olive

Family: Baetidae

Genus: Baetis

Life Cycle: incomplete

Three Life Stages: egg, nymph, adult cycle which includes 2 phases: dun and spinner

Emergence: Fall and Spring

Swimmer Mayfly Group

Nymph

Body Description

Antennae: two antennae on top of head

Abdomen: 10 segments

Wings: one visible pair of wing pads on top of thorax

Gills: top and sides of abdomen

Tails: 3

Legs: 6 with one sharp claw on each

Body Colors: olive to dark brown

Mobility: quick and agile

Size: 3-12mm

Hook Size: 14-20 2X long

Blue wing olive mayflies may appear anywhere in a stream but are best found in riffles and weedy runs.

Dun

Body Description

Antennae: 2

Abdomen: 10 segments

Wings: 2 sets drab colored

Tails: 2

Legs: 6

Body Colors: olive, or variations of olive brown or gray, pale light green

Mobility: fly to streambed foliage

Size: 3-9mm

Hook Size: 14-22

Spinner

Body Description

Antennae:

Abdomen: 10 segments

Wings: 2 sets –clear, hind wings are difficult to see; they are small, long and narrow

Legs: 6

Body Colors: females, olive-brown dark reddish brown; males, same, but part of the abdomen translucent

Size: 3-12mm

Hook Size: 14-22

After mating the female lays eggs on the water’s surface or sometimes will crawl under the surface and lay them on submerged objects.