Pale Morning Dun vs Golden-Ringed Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pale Morning Dun Golden-Ringed Dragonfly
Scientific Name Ephemerella excrucians Cordulegaster boltonii
Order Ephemeroptera Odonata
Family Ephemerellidae Cordulegastridae
Size 7-10 mm 76-84 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Predators
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.

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Did You Know?

Pale morning duns often hatch in such dense swarms that trout become highly selective, ignoring all but perfect imitations.

Golden-Ringed Dragonfly

The longest dragonfly in Britain, adorned with bold black and yellow rings along its body. Females have a conspicuous ovipositor used to inject eggs into stream beds.

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Did You Know?

The larvae of golden-ringed dragonflies live buried in stream sediment for up to five years before emerging as adults, ambushing prey from their sandy hideouts.