Pale Morning Dun
Pale Morning Dun
Family: Ephemerelidae
Genus: Ephemerella
Life Cycle: incomplete
Three Life Stages: egg, nymph, adult cycle which includes 2 phases: dun and spinner
Emergence: May-August
Crawler Mayfly Group
Nymph
Body Description
Antennae: 2
Legs: 6
Tails: 3
Wings: none
Body Colors: olive brown
Mobility: swim slowly, not very active
Live among the rocks and debris in runs, flats or riffles in spring creeks, tail waters, or freestone streams.
Dun
Body Description
Antennae: 2
Legs: 6
Tails: 3
Wings: 2 sets-hind wings well developed (always pale grey), rounded projection of leading edge of back wings; hind wings are well developed. This distinguishes them from blue wing olives which are very small
Eyes: overly large
Body Colors: light olive, pale yellow, bright yellow, tannish olive, orange, olive brown
Mobility: on overcast days after emergence they spend more time on the water
Size: 7-9mm
Hook Size: 14-16
Spinner
Body Description
Antennae: 2
Legs: 6
Tails: 3
Wings: 2 sets, transparent
Eyes: large
Body Colors: have darker bodies than duns which are brown with yellow-olive tones
Size: 7-9mm
Hook Size: 14-16
Females fly into swarms to mate while in flight. Males fall spent into the water while the females fly to choppy water and deposit their eggs after which they fall spent on the water.