Purple Dun vs Black Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Purple Dun | Black Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paraleptophlebia adoptiva | Ephemera danica var. nigra |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Leptophlebiidae | Ephemeridae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 15-25 mm body |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Purple Dun
A small dark mayfly with purplish-gray wings found in eastern streams. Nymphs crawl among submerged leaf packs in moderate current.
Did You Know?
Females drop their egg masses onto the water surface from a height of several feet while in flight.
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.