Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
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This seems to be a young larva of Limnephilus. Although not clear in the picture, several ventral abdominal segments have chloride epithelia.
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Needleflies
Like most common names,"Needlefly" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 2 specimens. For more detail click through to the scientific names.
Stonefly Family Leuctridae
These are often called Needleflies.
Leuctra is the only genus of any known importance to trout anglers. Their wings are rolled to a needle-like point; hence the common name, needle flies.
This is one of rarest stoneflies in western Montana. It is a bit unusual that it is fairly abundant in a handful of streams that empty into the east side of Flathead Lake. A very beautiful bug.
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Stonefly Genus Leuctra
These are often called Needleflies.
Ernest Schwiebert notes in Matching the Hatch that trout are very fond of these uncommon stoneflies when they are available.
Stonefly Genus Megaleuctra
These are often called Needleflies.
This is one of rarest stoneflies in western Montana. It is a bit unusual that it is fairly abundant in a handful of streams that empty into the east side of Flathead Lake. A very beautiful bug.
Stonefly Genus Perlomyia
These are often called Needleflies.
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References
- Schwiebert, Ernest G. 1955. Matching the Hatch. MacMillan Publishing Company.