Blue-winged Olives
Baetis
Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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Caddisfly Family Philopotamidae
Emergence and egg-laying behaviors vary widely within this family of net-spinning caddisflies. Some species, like Dolophilodes distinctus, have very unusual quirks. That species and Chimarra aterrima are two of the most important in this family.
Where & when
In 833 records from GBIF, adults of this family have mostly been collected during June (25%), July (19%), May (18%), August (13%), September (8%), and April (6%).
In 260 records from GBIF, this family has been collected at elevations ranging from 26 to 10322 ft, with an average (median) of 2280 ft.
Family Range
Larva & pupa biology
Shelter type: Very fine-meshed nets
Specimens of the Caddisfly Family Philopotamidae
1 Adult
1 Male Adult
This caddis species was dancing high over the stream, spaced a foot or two apart across most of its width, very much like Ephemera mayfly spinners but with more side-to-side motion mixed in. There were more than enough to get the trout interested, but I wasn't able to stick around until they fell on the water (if they did at all).
1 Female Adult
This is a really strange specimen. I would guess it's one of the dry caddis pupa that scoots across the surface of the water as a pupa rather than emerging right away. Its "wing pads" sure don't look right, though. Maybe they're deformed and that's why I was able to find this one as a pupa in the first place. It also looks like it might be a caddis adult missing its wings, but since I found three of them, that kind of rules out such an anomalous maiming.
I found this one and one other on a midstream rock. The previous day, I caught a similar creature kicking around on the water's surface.
This one died and shriveled a little bit before I could photograph it, but it's basically in its original shape.
I found this one and one other on a midstream rock. The previous day, I caught a similar creature kicking around on the water's surface.
This one died and shriveled a little bit before I could photograph it, but it's basically in its original shape.
5 Larvae
I think this larva best fits Dolophilodes, in which the anterior margin of the frontoclypeus is supposed to be "slightly asymmetrical." I can't confidently make out the asymmetry, but the other genera are supposed to have either greater asymmetry or a symmetrical, but convex, shape, whereas this one is clearly concave.
Based on distribution records, the species should be either aequalis, dorcus, or pallidipes, but I can't find any source to distinguish between them.
Based on distribution records, the species should be either aequalis, dorcus, or pallidipes, but I can't find any source to distinguish between them.
Discussions of Philopotamidae
Emerger pictures anyone???
5 replies
Last reply on Apr 9, 2018 by Gazzer
I would like to see a picture of an emerging Chimarra or a pupa stage before emerging if anyone has one. I am baffled and curious to how and when they change from a yellow/orange larva to a black adult fly. Also, what would be a good emerger pattern for this fly? Lafontaine emerger in what color?
ovipositing?
6 replies
Posted by Btopbuckeye on Mar 4, 2015 in the genus Chimarra
Last reply on Mar 6, 2015 by Crepuscular
I had a large swarm of black sedges in a size 16 ovipositing today.the females hadvblack wings and body with a green egg sack was just wondering if that is this genus or something totally different
Pupa color?
6 replies
Last reply on Apr 5, 2012 by Entoman
Seems like dead drifting the pupa pattern during the emergence time is a good way to fish this before the adults are on the water.
Does the pupa retain the orange color of the larva or do they have the color of the adult?
Does the pupa retain the orange color of the larva or do they have the color of the adult?
bright green?
1 replies
Posted by Phishheaduj on Jan 12, 2009 in the genus Chimarra
Last reply on Jan 12, 2009 by Taxon
i recently came across with a bright green one of these. Is that the same or a completely different species?
Start a Discussion of Philopotamidae
References
- LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.
Caddisfly Family Philopotamidae
Taxonomy
Genus in Philopotamidae
ChimarraLittle Black Sedges
2
10
DolophilodesMedium Evening Sedges
5
27
WormaldiaLittle Autumn Sedges
0
0
2 genera (Fumonta and Sisko) aren't included.