Western Green Drake
Western Green Drake
Family: Ephemerelidae
Genus: Drunella
Life Cycle: incomplete
Three Life Stages: egg, nymph, adult cycle which includes 2 phases: dun and spinner
Emergence: June-July
Crawler Mayflies Group
Nymph
Body Description
Horns: 2
Eyes: large
Abdomen: spurs on last two segments of the abdomen
Head: have flat leading edges
Tails: 3
Legs: have stout femurs on all 6
Body Colors: medium-dark browns to olive browns
Mobility: strong swimmers and not swept away by the water, nymphs in faster waters go to calm water before emergence, those in medium currents stay there and emerge at surface film
Size: 11-15mm, large and somewhat stubby
Found among the rocks and debris in medium to fast riffles and runs.
Dun
Body Description
Wings: 2 sets, large secondary wings, dark gray
Tails: 3
Body Colors: bright green & olive brown markings, olive & yellow trim, color changes soon after emergence darkening in as little as 1 hour
Mobility: after emergence they stay on the water until their wings and tails are fully dried and extended; tend to have many crippled or damaged duns
Size: 11-15mm
Hook Size: large 10
Spinners
Mating Green Drakes fall soon after dark. All three stages are fed upon by trout but spinners aren’t important foods.