Blue-Winged Olive
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.