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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.
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Brown and Green Caddisflies

This common name refers to only one genus. Click its scientific name to learn more.

Caddisfly Genus Rhyacophila

These are very rarely called Brown and Green Caddisflies.
The large free-living larvae of the Rhyacophila genus are among the best-known caddisflies, and for good reason, because their unique biology is both interesting to entomologists and compatible with trout fishing. There are over 100 species, and many of them can be important.
Lateral view of a Rhyacophila (Rhyacophilidae) (Green Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
Dorsal view of a Rhyacophila fuscula (Rhyacophilidae) (Green Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Rhyacophila (Rhyacophilidae) (Green Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Long Lake Branch of the White River in Wisconsin
I collected this pupa and several like it from the same stream and on the same day as this larva. I suspect they're the same species. Every pupa I collected was in a brown casing like the one shown in one of the pictures below. I cut this pupa out of its case after a picture so you can see more details. It is close to but not fully developed.

Brown and Green Caddisflies

Scientific Name
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