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Lateral view of a Male Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #43 in New York
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.

Dorsal view of a Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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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Stenochironomus poecilopterus Midge Adult Pictures

Stenochironomus poecilopterus (Chironomidae) Midge Adult from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Stenochironomus poecilopterus (Chironomidae) Midge Adult from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Dorsal view of a Stenochironomus poecilopterus (Chironomidae) Midge Adult from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Lateral view of a Stenochironomus poecilopterus (Chironomidae) Midge Adult from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Stenochironomus poecilopterus (Chironomidae) Midge Adult from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Ruler view of a Stenochironomus poecilopterus (Chironomidae) Midge Adult from Mystery Creek #62 in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This midge was collected from Mystery Creek #62 in New York on May 6th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 18th, 2007.

Discussions of this Adult

Stenochironomus poecilopterus
7 replies
Posted by GONZO on Apr 1, 2009
Last reply on Apr 1, 2009 by Troutnut
After looking at Falsifly's cool midge pictures (and badly misinterpreting them), I decided to attempt a midge identification. That's a scary prospect for me, but I picked this one because the distinctive wing, body, and leg markings made it easy to follow the key.

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References

Stenochironomus poecilopterus Midge Adult Pictures

Collection details
Location: Mystery Creek #62, New York
Date: May 6th, 2007
Added to site: May 18th, 2007
Author: Troutnut
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