Blue Duns
Scientific Names
Like most common names, "Blue Dun" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 5 specimens. For more detail click through to the scientific names.
Mayfly Species Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
These are very rarely called Blue Duns.
This is the best Spring hatch after the Quill Gordons (Epeorus pleuralis) but before the Hendricksons (Ephemerella subvaria) in most parts of the East, although it can overlap with both. The Blue Quills are small mayflies (hook size 16-20) but they can hatch in incredible numbers at a time when eager trout are just beginning to look to the surface after a hungry winter.
Male Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) Mayfly Dun
View 14 Pictures
View 14 PicturesRegion: Northeast
Collected Apr 30, 2007
Added May 3, 2007
Mayfly Species Paraleptophlebia bicornuta
These are very rarely called Blue Duns.
This important Western species is one of the only mayflies outside the Ephemeridae family to possess large tusks on the front of its head. It is also the largest species of Paraleptophlebia, and probably the most important in the West.
The bicornuta action may be reinforced by simultaneous hatches of Paraleptophlebia debilis.
The bicornuta action may be reinforced by simultaneous hatches of Paraleptophlebia debilis.
Mayfly Species Leptophlebia cupida
These are very rarely called Blue Duns.
Most anglers encounter these large mayflies every Spring in the East and Midwest. They are omnipresent in small portions, providing filler action in the days or hours between the prolific hatches of the early season Ephemerella flies.
See the main Leptophlebia page for details about their nymphs, hatching, and egg-laying behavior. This is by far the most important species of that genus.
See the main Leptophlebia page for details about their nymphs, hatching, and egg-laying behavior. This is by far the most important species of that genus.
Leptophlebia cupida (Black Quill) Mayfly Nymph
View 8 Pictures
View 8 PicturesRegion: Northeast
Collected Mar 29, 2005
Added Apr 6, 2006
Male Leptophlebia cupida (Black Quill) Mayfly Dun
View 6 PicturesThis Leptophlebia cupida dun was extremely cooperative, and it molted into a spinner for me in front of the camera. Here I have a few dun pictures and one spinner picture, and I've put the entire molting sequence in an article.
View 6 PicturesThis Leptophlebia cupida dun was extremely cooperative, and it molted into a spinner for me in front of the camera. Here I have a few dun pictures and one spinner picture, and I've put the entire molting sequence in an article.Region: Upper Midwest
Collected May 27, 2005
Added May 16, 2006
Female Leptophlebia cupida (Black Quill) Mayfly Spinner
View 7 Pictures
View 7 PicturesRegion: Upper Midwest
Collected May 28, 2005
Added May 24, 2006
See 13 more specimens...
Mayfly Species Paraleptophlebia debilis
These are very rarely called Blue Duns.
This widespread species can produce memorable hatches where it is locally abundant.
Mayfly Species Leptophlebia johnsoni
These are very rarely called Blue Duns.
Mayfly Species Paraleptophlebia mollis
These are very rarely called Blue Duns.
This species often emerges together with Paraleptophlebia strigula and Paraleptophlebia guttata, and the combined effect can be a good fishable hatch. The latter two are much less famous than mollis, but Knopp and Cormier say they are more reliable.
Male Paraleptophlebia mollis (Blue Quill) Mayfly Dun
View 6 Pictures
View 6 PicturesRegion: Upper Midwest
Collected Jun 8, 2005
Added May 26, 2006
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