Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata
The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.
Featured on the forum
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.
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.
Hydrophilidae (Giant Water Scavenger Beetle) Beetle Adult Pictures
This is a water beetle. It is the hardest object in the world to pick up with tweezers. The second hardest is Mount Everest.
This beetle was collected from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin on January 13th, 2004 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on January 25th, 2006.
Discussions of this Adult
Giant Water Scavenger Beetle
2 replies
Posted by GONZO on Oct 14, 2006
Last reply on Nov 27, 2006 by GONZO
I'm not great on beetle identification, but this one seems pretty easy--Hydrophilus triangularis.
Beetle ID
1 replies
Posted by DMM on Nov 18, 2006
Last reply on Nov 20, 2006 by Troutnut
Beetles can be very tricky to identify. It has been my experience that it is extremely difficult to identify many insects to the species level based on pictures alone. It may not be able to be positively identified to genus either. The family is probably correct though, except the family isn't listed here. The family should be Hydrophilidae. Hydrophiloidea is a superfamily designation. Having said that, GONZO's ID could be correct (and if he has the experience, probably is), it's just not possible for me to confirm this.
Start a Discussion of Adult
Hydrophilidae (Giant Water Scavenger Beetle) Beetle Adult Pictures
Collection details
Location: Namekagon River, Wisconsin
Date: January 13th, 2004
Added to site: January 25th, 2006
Author: Troutnut
Date: January 13th, 2004
Added to site: January 25th, 2006
Author: Troutnut