Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
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Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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Adams
Like most common names,"Adams" 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 Siphlonurus alternatus
These are often called Adams.
This species occasionally produces important spinner falls. Its spinners may join the swarms of Siphlonurus quebecensis or Siphlonurus rapidus, amplifying the importance of all three species.
I'm tentatively classifying this one as Siphlonurus alternatus, because it seems to fit that species best in the old keys in Needham's Biology of Mayflies, but I'm hesitant because I can't find documentation that southwest Montana or the surrounding area is within the species' range, although they are widely distributed throughout eastern North American and western Canada.
Mayfly Species Siphlonurus quebecensis
These are often called Adams.
This is the Siphlonurus species I have encountered most frequently on Eastern trout waters. I often find its spinners swarming in a mix with Siphlonurus alternatus, and I have read that Siphlonurus rapidus may join these groups as well.
This one hatched in my house after I brought some nymphs home to photograph.
See 4 more specimens...
Mayfly Species Siphlonurus rapidus
These are sometimes called Adams.
This species may reinforce spinner flights of Siphlonurus quebecensis and Siphlonurus alternatus.
References
- Jacobus, L. M., Wiersema, N.A., and Webb, J.M. 2014. Identification of Far Northern and Western North American Mayfly Larvae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera), North of Mexico; Version 2. Joint Aquatic Science meeting, Portland, OR. Unpublished workshop manual. 1-176.