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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 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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Alloperla (Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Pictures

This specimen was completely green when I collected it from among many others gathered on a midstream rock along with their nymphal shucks early in the morning. There was also a yellow one with them, which I assumed was a different species. Now that I've seen how this one started changing from green to yellow, I have to wonder if they weren't the same species and the yellow one was just older.

Alloperla (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania
Alloperla (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania
Alloperla (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania
Ventral view of a Alloperla (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania
Lateral view of a Alloperla (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania
Ruler view of a Alloperla (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This stonefly was collected from Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania on May 29th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on June 4th, 2007.

Discussions of this Adult

Is this Chloroperlide?
3 replies
Posted by Troutnut on Jun 5, 2007
Last reply on Apr 8, 2010 by Myersl
I just want to double-check this ID, because I've got a couple on-stream pictures of these flies to add. Can anyone confirm?
Chloroperlidae?
Posted by Taxon on Jun 5, 2007
Last reply on Jun 5, 2007 by Taxon
Oops, misplaced post.

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References

Alloperla (Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Pictures

Collection details
Location: Brodhead Creek, Pennsylvania
Date: May 29th, 2007
Added to site: June 4th, 2007
Author: Troutnut
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