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Updates from October 5, 2011



Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Touchet River in Washington

Male Paraleptophlebia bicornuta (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly DunMale Paraleptophlebia bicornuta (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Dun View 1 PicturesYou wonder sometimes how certain insects get their common names. This one is called the 'mahogany dun' for some unknown reason.
Collected October 5, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington
Added to Troutnut.com by Bnewell on October 6, 2011

Most recent comments on this post (latest on top)

EntomanOctober 6th, 2011, 1:09 pm
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Hi Bob,

You wonder sometimes how certain insects get their common names. This one is called the 'mahogany dun' for some unknown reason.

Yeah, I agree with you that Blue Quill (defined as a dun hackled, peacock quill bodied fly) is a better handle for this specimen. As to why it's stuck with the name Mahogany Dun, I'm afraid it is a victim of lumping as important species of leptophlebiids are mahogany colored. Important baetids go by the name Blue-Winged Olive in spite of having brown bodies for the same unfortunate reason.

Regards,

Kurt
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman

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