Drunella spinifera

(Needham, 1927)

Western Slate Olive

Drunella spinifera is a of spiny crawler mayfly in the Ephemerellidae. It is found in southwestern and northern Canada, the western United States, and Alaska. The "Western Slate Olive" reflects its regional distribution and likely coloration. Like other members of the Drunella, it belongs to a group of mayflies commonly targeted by fly fishermen, though specific angling references for this species are limited.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Drunella spinifera: /druˈnɛl.la spiˈni.fe.ra/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Drunella and related mayflies by specific morphological features associated with the "spiny " designation, though detailed diagnostic characters are not well documented in available sources. Within the Drunella, species-level identification typically requires examination of abdominal spines, gill structures, and genitalia.

Distribution

Southwestern and northern Canada; western United States; Alaska.

Human Relevance

Implicated in fly fishing as part of the "spiny " group, though less prominently referenced in angling literature than such as Drunella grandis (Western Green Drake). The name appears in taxonomic databases and regional species lists rather than specialized fly-fishing guides.

Similar Taxa

Drunella grandisLarger and more prominently featured in western North American fly fishing; D. spinifera is smaller and less frequently referenced in angling contexts.
Drunella coloradensisOverlapping western North American distribution; -level distinction requires careful morphological examination.
Ephemerella spp.Related within Ephemerellidae with similar "" nymph ; Drunella is distinguished by specific gill and abdominal spine characteristics.