Pale Morning Dun vs Black Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pale Morning Dun | Black Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ephemerella excrucians | Ephemera danica var. nigra |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Ephemerellidae | Ephemeridae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 15-25 mm body |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pale Morning Dun
A small pale yellowish mayfly that hatches in large numbers on western North American streams during late spring. It is a crucial food source for trout.
Did You Know?
Pale morning duns often hatch in such dense swarms that trout become highly selective, ignoring all but perfect imitations.
Black Mayfly
A dark color variant of the common Green Drake mayfly found in some European populations. The dark form is more prevalent in upland, acidic waters. Important for trout feeding.
Did You Know?
The dark form predominates in acidic upland streams while the typical yellow form prefers alkaline lowland rivers.