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.