Pale Morning Dun vs Spring Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pale Morning Dun Spring Stonefly
Scientific Name Ephemerella excrucians Amphinemura sulcicollis
Order Ephemeroptera Plecoptera
Family Ephemerellidae Nemouridae
Size 7-10 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
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.

Spring Stonefly

A small dark stonefly that emerges in early spring in European streams. Nymphs are shredders of decomposing leaf litter in headwaters.

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Did You Know?

Adults are among the first insects to appear each spring, sometimes emerging while snow still covers the banks.