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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.

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.
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 Penelomax septentrionalis Mayfly Nymph Pictures

This is surely the most distinctive-looking species in Ephemerellidae. I like the rugged, spindly look. If mayflies made movies, Penelomax septentrionalis would probably play the supervillain.

Maybe I should take a break and get something to eat.

Ruler view of a Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Dorsal view of a Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Ventral view of a Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
A hairy mayfly nymph. This gangly, odd-looking nymph is from the rare species Ephemerella septentrionalis

Artistic view of a Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York
Male Penelomax septentrionalis (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York

This mayfly was collected from the Delaware River in New York on May 13th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 18th, 2007.

Discussions of this Nymph

Great Photos
2 replies
Posted by Earlfishman on May 19, 2007
Last reply on May 19, 2007 by Troutnut
Jason,

The underwater photos are unreal. What sort of lens are you using on that camera? It is just now occuring to me to ask how many of your pictures on this site are taken through a scope and how many are taken with just a camera?

Earl

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Male Penelomax septentrionalis Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Delaware River, New York
Date: May 13th, 2007
Added to site: May 18th, 2007
Author: Troutnut
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