Olive Quills
Like most common names, "Olive Quill" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 1 specimen. For more detail click through to the scientific names.
Mayfly Species Ephemerella excrucians
These are sometimes called Olive Quills.
Until recently, Ephemerella excrucians was a widespread species of relatively minor importance. Recent work by entomologists uncovered that it is the same species as the important Western Pale Morning Duns Ephemerella inermis, and the two combined took the name of excrucians.
The behavioral information I've given below is tentative. Because of the taxonomic shuffling and the fact that books usually describe this species together with others, it is a little bit unclear which writings specifically apply to excrucians.
The behavioral information I've given below is tentative. Because of the taxonomic shuffling and the fact that books usually describe this species together with others, it is a little bit unclear which writings specifically apply to excrucians.
Ephemerella excrucians (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph
View 5 PicturesI spent (Spent: The wing position of many aquatic insects when they fall on the water after mating. The wings of both sides lay flat on the water. The word may be used to describe insects with their wings in that position, as well as the position itself.) a while with a microscope to fairly positively identify this specimen as Ephemerella excrucians.
View 5 PicturesI spent (Spent: The wing position of many aquatic insects when they fall on the water after mating. The wings of both sides lay flat on the water. The word may be used to describe insects with their wings in that position, as well as the position itself.) a while with a microscope to fairly positively identify this specimen as Ephemerella excrucians.Region: Upper Midwest
Collected Jun 9, 2005
Added May 26, 2006
Mayfly Species Serratella serrata
These are sometimes called Olive Quills.
This locally important species is rarely mentioned in fly fishing literature, and what little information is given is identical to that for Serratella deficiens. Knopp and Cormier say both species can produce good hatches.
Mayfly Species Drunella walkeri
These are very rarely called Olive Quills.
This is the second most common East-Midwest Drunella species, but it is not very important compared to Drunella lata. Ernest Schwiebert had this to say about their hatches:
An imitation is rarely required, but notes show that when it is needed it is needed badly.
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