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Black Gnats

Scientific Names

Like most common names, "Black Gnat" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 3 specimens. For more detail click through to the scientific names.

Mayfly Species Leptophlebia cupida

These are sometimes called Black Gnats.
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.
Leptophlebia cupida (Black Quill) Mayfly NymphLeptophlebia cupida (Black Quill) Mayfly NymphView 8 Pictures
Region: Northeast
Collected Mar 29, 2005
Added Apr 6, 2006
Male Leptophlebia cupida (Black Quill) Mayfly DunMale Leptophlebia cupida (Black Quill) Mayfly DunView 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 SpinnerFemale Leptophlebia cupida (Black Quill) Mayfly SpinnerView 7 Pictures
Region: Upper Midwest
Collected May 28, 2005
Added May 24, 2006

Mayfly Species Leptophlebia nebulosa

These are very rarely called Black Gnats.
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Last update July 19th, 2007.
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