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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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Cinygmula (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

This very strange nymph appears to be undoubtedly Cinygmula, yet it lacks the telltale protruding mouthparts that usually make that genus so easy to identify.

Ruler view of a Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Gulkana River in Alaska The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Ventral view of a Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Gulkana River in Alaska
Dorsal view of a Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Gulkana River in Alaska
Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Gulkana River in Alaska
Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Gulkana River in Alaska
Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Gulkana River in Alaska
Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Gulkana River in Alaska

This mayfly was collected from the Gulkana River in Alaska on July 17th, 2011 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on July 20th, 2011.

Discussions of this Nymph

A Cinygmula nymph without protruding mouthparts?
12 replies
Posted by Troutnut on Jul 20, 2011
Last reply on Mar 28, 2013 by Brookyman
I've never heard of such a thing, yet here it is, unless I'm badly mistaken. The gills and all the other features scream Cinygmula, as does the fact that it was collected with hundreds of other Cinygmula nymphs representing (I think) at least two species.

Anyone know what's going on with the mouth?

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References

Cinygmula (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Gulkana River, Alaska
Date: July 17th, 2011
Added to site: July 20th, 2011
Author: Troutnut
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