Purple Dun vs Mountain Flathead Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Purple Dun Mountain Flathead Mayfly
Scientific Name Paraleptophlebia adoptiva Cinygmula ramaleyi
Order Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera
Family Leptophlebiidae Heptageniidae
Size 7-10 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions North America North America
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.

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Did You Know?

Females drop their egg masses onto the water surface from a height of several feet while in flight.

Mountain Flathead Mayfly

An alpine mayfly restricted to high-elevation cold streams in the Rocky Mountains. Nymphs feed on diatom films on boulder surfaces.

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Did You Know?

This species cannot survive in water temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius.