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Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
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.

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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.
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Paragnetina media (Embossed Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph Pictures

Paragnetina media (Perlidae) (Embossed Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph from Cascadilla Creek in New York
Dorsal view of a Paragnetina media (Perlidae) (Embossed Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph from Cascadilla Creek in New York
Ventral view of a Paragnetina media (Perlidae) (Embossed Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph from Cascadilla Creek in New York

This stonefly was collected from Cascadilla Creek in New York on March 13th, 2005 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 5th, 2006.

Discussions of this Nymph

Probably an immature Paragnetina media
2 replies
Posted by GONZO on Oct 4, 2006
Last reply on Jan 19, 2010 by Dkak
The row of spinules, absence of anal gills, and overall hairiness are all consistent with immature P. media. (The mature nymphs are cleaner, darker, and less hairy.)

I would also suggest altering the Paragnetina page to say that media is very important in both the East and Midwest. (media is probably the most widespread and commonly encountered large member of the Perlidae in the East. Due to its tolerance and adaptability it is often found in streams that have few other stonefly species.) The "accepted" (Stark, et al.) common names are Embossed Stone for media and Beautiful Stone for immarginata.

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References

Paragnetina media (Embossed Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Cascadilla Creek, New York
Date: March 13th, 2005
Added to site: April 5th, 2006
Author: Troutnut
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