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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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Polycentropus (Brown Checkered Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Pictures

Polycentropus (Polycentropodidae) (Brown Checkered Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Delaware River in New York
Lateral view of a Polycentropus (Polycentropodidae) (Brown Checkered Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Delaware River in New York
Dorsal view of a Polycentropus (Polycentropodidae) (Brown Checkered Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Delaware River in New York
Ruler view of a Polycentropus (Polycentropodidae) (Brown Checkered Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Delaware River in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This caddisfly 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 Larva

polycentropus
1 replies
Posted by Litobrancha on May 19, 2007
Last reply on Dec 22, 2007 by Creno
probably polycentropus, like earlfisherman said a good closeup of the anal claws would be helpful. esp any teeth or serrations on said claws. nice pics.
Polycentropodidae
Posted by Earlfishman on May 19, 2007
Last reply on May 19, 2007 by Earlfishman
Based on the head pattern, this larvae might be Polycentropus sp. or Neureclipsis sp., I find myself leaning towards the former but I've been wrong before. It's hard to tell for sure without close up photos of anal claws and legs. You can tell it isn't a Rhyacophilid because there isn't a sclerite on top of ab seg number 9.

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Polycentropus (Brown Checkered Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Pictures

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