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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 Neoleptophlebia (Leptophlebiidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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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Dorsal view of a Paragnetina media (Perlidae) (Embossed Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph from Fall Creek in New York
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Apr 3, 2007April 3rd, 2007, 5:00 am EDT
This appears to be Acroneuria. Not sure which species.
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Apr 3, 2007April 3rd, 2007, 5:53 am EDT
Sorry, Jason--hasty judgement. This specimen appears to have a setal row across the occiput. Probably Paragnetina media. I'm not used to seeing a distinct "W" on the head of media, so this one threw me. But, I can't think what else it could be. (Way too dark for immarginata, and the abdomen would be patterned.)
Mlajoie
Posts: 6
Mlajoie on Mar 18, 2008March 18th, 2008, 4:49 am EDT
This may in fact be media, but Gonzo is right, the markings are usually not this distinct (especially the 'w'). To me, this looks more like a darkly colored immarginata. Differences of habitat frequently cause variations in color, and it is tough to distinguish for sure, based on the photos. Immarginata has transverse banding on the abdominal terga, and this specimine has an especially dark abdomen, making it hard to tell. Also, just to point out, Gonzo, the occipital ridge is not made up of setae. It is a closely set transverse row of spinules. And to the other comment, a golden nymph will work fine for fishing, as it's still a perlid. Besides, I don't think trout can ID to species...
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Mar 11, 2012March 11th, 2012, 5:12 am EDT
Jason,

This one is still linked with Acroneuria for some reason, even though the name is now correct.

Two characters that nobody seems to mention are the concave look to the back of the head (caused by the occiputal ridge) and the exaggerated bowling pin shape of the abdomen on many Paragnetina. These are noticable differences from Acroneuria. When these two characters are together and obvious, there should be no need to look at spinules with a microscope or good macrophoto to determine between the two. We have a similar situation out West with Callineuria/Hesperoperla and Claassenia nymphs. Astute observers can easily tell the difference at a glance without enhanced vision, and I suspect this may also be possible between many if not most Acroneuriinae and Perlinae genera in the East.
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman

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