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Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata

The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.

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.
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.

Millcreek has attached these 6 pictures. The message is below.
Tinodes larva. 11 mm.
Top of pupal case. 12 mm.
Bottom of pupal case. 12 mm.
Immature and mature pupae. 10 mm.
Ventral view of pupa. 10 mm.
Dorsal view of pupa. 10mm.
Millcreek
Healdsburg, CA

Posts: 344
Millcreek on Feb 24, 2015February 24th, 2015, 5:48 am EST
These are relatively common in Mill Creek, a tributary of the Russian River.
They're found in pools on the side and top of rocks. They use a net to capture diatoms and algae. The net sits flat on the rock usually over a small declivity.

When ready to pupate, the larva leaves the net and finds a large rock, spins a covering of silk and sand and begins pupation. Pupae are usually found on the top or side of a rock.
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
-Albert Einstein
Creno
Grants Pass, OR

Posts: 302
Creno on Feb 24, 2015February 24th, 2015, 8:30 am EST
Nice pics - especially pupal stuff - can you get a close up of the head showing the structure (bump) between the antennae? Does that hang over the front of the head like a ball-cap brim?
Millcreek
Healdsburg, CA

Posts: 344
Millcreek on Feb 24, 2015February 24th, 2015, 9:45 am EST
Kind of pressed for time right now. Will try to get pics of the head later.
Did take a look under the microscope and it does to appear hang over the front of the head.
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
-Albert Einstein
PaulRoberts
PaulRoberts's profile picture
Colorado

Posts: 1776
PaulRoberts on Feb 24, 2015February 24th, 2015, 4:31 pm EST
Nice. Thanks for these.

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