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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.

Lateral view of a Psychodidae True Fly Larva from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington
This wild-looking little thing completely puzzled me. At first I was thinking beetle or month larva, until I got a look at the pictures on the computer screen. I made a couple of incorrect guesses before entomologist Greg Courtney pointed me in the right direction with Psychodidae. He suggested a possible genus of Thornburghiella, but could not rule out some other members of the tribe Pericomini.
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.

Female Perlesta (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult Pictures

This stonefly species was the most common insect over the small stream I fished one August afternoon; I saw dozens in their egg-laying flights.

Lateral view of a Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York
Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York
Ventral view of a Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York
Ruler view of a Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Dorsal view of a Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York
Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York
Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York
Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York
Artistic view of a Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York

This stonefly was collected from Enfield Creek in New York on August 24th, 2006 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on August 27th, 2006.

Discussions of this Adult

Probably Perlesta
Posted by GONZO on Sep 9, 2008
Last reply on Sep 9, 2008 by GONZO
I don't think this is Isoperla or even a perlodid. The little perlids of the genus Perlesta are frequently mistaken for Isoperla. Although there are a few exceptions, most Eastern Isoperla are spring or early summer emergers. Perlesta tends to be more of a summer emerger. In general appearance, the amber, brownish, or blackish wings with yellow borders are common to many Perlesta species. The nearly concolorous pronotum (often with a similar rugose pattern) and the variable darkening of the ocellar triangle are also typical of many species in this genus. Looking closer, the third photo shows long bristles along the lower front edge of the forefemur. As far as I know, these bristles are found in perlids and chloroperlids, but not in Isoperla.

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Female Perlesta (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult Pictures

Collection details
Location: Enfield Creek, New York
Date: August 24th, 2006
Added to site: August 27th, 2006
Author: Troutnut
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