Purple Dun vs Pale Morning Dun
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Purple Dun | Pale Morning Dun |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paraleptophlebia adoptiva | Ephemerella excrucians |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Leptophlebiidae | Ephemerellidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Detritivores |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Females drop their egg masses onto the water surface from a height of several feet while in flight.
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.
Did You Know?
Pale morning duns often hatch in such dense swarms that trout become highly selective, ignoring all but perfect imitations.