Header image
Enter a name
Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana
Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Middle Fork Snoqualmie From the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington

Stream photos

Featured on the forum
Re: Trico emergers
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Bwoklink (Martinlf replied)
Re: Trico Tips
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Martinlf
Re: UV spectrum and trout
In General Discussion by Martinlf
Re: closing the gender gap in flyfishing
In General Discussion by Konchu (Smallflyguy replied)
Re: Fishing Kupa River, Slovenia
In Fishing Reports by Slocum (Fish1 replied)
Amphizoa Beetle LarvaAmphizoa Beetle Larva
Dorsal view of a Amphizoa (Amphizoidae) Beetle Larva from Sears Creek in Washington
This is the first of it's family I've seen, collected from a tiny, fishless stream in the Cascades. The three species of this genus all live in the Northwest and are predators that primarily eat stonefly nymphs Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019).
5 Recently Added Photos
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Male Rhithrogena virilis Mayfly Spinner Pictures

I'm fairly sure this is a specimen of Rhithrogena virilis based on closeup examination of the reproductive anatomy under the microscope (not shown in photos). The other other species of Rhithrogena this large is Rhithrogena flavianula, but the key in Needham's Biology of Mayflies mentions annulation in the abdomen (visible in some images on bugguide.net) more distinct than that on this specimen.

The body and front wing were both about 15.5 mm long, while the cerci were 40 mm long.

There's a pale amber tinge to the anterior areas of the wings, which doesn't show up all that well against the blue background. Lateral view of a Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Dorsal view of a Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Tick marks are 1/16". The body and front wing were both about 15.5 mm long. Ruler view of a Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington The smallest ruler marks are 1/16".
Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington
Ventral view of a Male Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington

This mayfly was collected from the South Fork Sauk River in Washington on July 5th, 2017 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on July 6th, 2017.


Start a Discussion of Spinner

References

Male Rhithrogena virilis Mayfly Spinner Pictures

Taxonomy
  1. Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
  2. » Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
  3. » Class Insecta (Insects)
  4. » Order Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)
  5. » Family Heptageniidae (March Browns, Cahills, Quill Gordons)
  6. » Genus Rhithrogena
  7. » Species virilis
Collection details
Location: South Fork Sauk River, Washington
Date: July 5th, 2017
Added to site: July 6th, 2017
Author: Troutnut
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy