Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
Featured on the forum
This specimen appears to be of the same species as this one collected in the same spot two months earlier. The identification of both is tentative. This one suffered some physical damage before being photographed, too, so the colors aren't totally natural. I was mostly photographing it to test out some new camera setting idea, which worked really well for a couple of closeups.
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.
Identification: Key to Species of Caudatella Nymphs, Couplet 3
Identification: Key to Species of Caudatella Nymphs, Couplet 3
Adapted from Jacobus 2010 (2010)
| Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|
| Cerci approximately two thirds length of median filament | Cerci less than one-half length of median filament |
| Abdominal sterna with solid color, never with longitudinal stripes or other such markings | Abdominal sterna almost always with three dark, longitudinal markings |
| Remaining species: Caudatella columbiella and Caudatella heterocaudata | |
| Caudatella jacobi | Go to Couplet 4 |
Adapted from Jacobus 2010 (2010)
The current couplet is highlighted with darker colors and a icon, and couplets leading to this point have a icon.
Leads to Caudatella edmundsi:
- Maxillary palp vestigial; tarsal claw with two prominent rows of denticles
Leads to Couplet 2:
- Maxillary palp with three distinct segments; tarsal claw with only one distinct row of denticles
Couplet 2
Leads to Caudatella hystrix:
- Paired medial spines on abdominal terga long and curved (at least on middle segments), some almost hook like
Leads to Couplet 3:
- Paired medial spines on abdominal terga relatively straight, none longer than respective segment
Couplet 3
Couplet 3 (You are here)
Leads to Caudatella jacobi:
- Cerci approximately two thirds length of median filament
- Abdominal sterna with solid color, never with longitudinal stripes or other such markings
Leads to Couplet 4:
- Cerci less than one-half length of median filament
- Abdominal sterna almost always with three dark, longitudinal markings
Couplet 4
Leads to Caudatella heterocaudata:
- Cerci approximately one-third length of median filament (about the length of the abdomen)
- Distinct pair of medial spines present only on abdominal terga 2–9, with the spine tips blunt
Leads to Caudatella columbiella:
- Cerci approximately one-sixth length of median filament (about half the length of the abdomen)
- Distinct pair of medial spines present on abdominal terga 1–9, with the spine tips sharp
Start a Discussion of this Couplet
References
- Jacobus, Luke M. 2010. Taxonomic Review of the Caudatella heterocaudata (McDunnough) and C. hystrix (Traver) Complexes (Insecta: Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae). Psyche: A Journal of Entomology 2010: 1-5.