Pale Morning Dun vs Long-Tailed Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pale Morning Dun Long-Tailed Mayfly
Scientific Name Ephemerella excrucians Palingenia longicauda
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Ephemerellidae Palingeniidae
Size 7-10 mm 30-40 mm body; 60-80 mm cerci
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

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.

Long-Tailed Mayfly

The largest European mayfly with body and cerci reaching over 120 mm. Its spectacular mass hatches on the Tisza River are a famous natural phenomenon.

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Did You Know?

The annual "Tisza bloom" of this mayfly along the Tisza River lasts only a few hours but has been celebrated in Hungarian culture for generations.