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.

Stream photos

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Neoleptophlebia Mayfly Nymph Neoleptophlebia Mayfly Nymph

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.

10 Recently Added Photos

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.

Slap-in-the-Face Caddisflies

This name was created by Gary LaFontaine to describe Psilotreta labida caddisflies, a challenging hatch to match.

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

Caddisfly Species Psilotreta labida

These are very rarely called Slap-in-the-Face Caddisflies.

See the Psilotreta genus page for more details that this important species shares with others in its genus.

Male Psilotreta labida (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

11 Pictures

Lateral view of a Male Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

Collected May 31, 2007 from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

Added by Troutnut on June 4, 2007

Collected May 31, 2007 from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York and added by Troutnut on June 4, 2007

Psilotreta labida (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

9 Pictures

Case view of a Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York

Collected March 29, 2007 from Fall Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on April 2, 2007

Collected March 29, 2007 from Fall Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on April 2, 2007

References

Jacobus, L. M., Wiersema, N.A., and Webb, J.M. 2014. Identification of Far Northern and Western North American Mayfly Larvae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera), North of Mexico; Version 2. Joint Aquatic Science meeting, Portland, OR. Unpublished workshop manual. 1-176.