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.
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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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Giant Sedges
This common name refers to only one family. Click its scientific name to learn more.
Caddisfly Family Limnephilidae
These are very rarely called Giant Sedges.
This huge family appropriately contains huge caddisflies. Many of its genera are important, but the western genus Dicosmoecus (the Giant Orange Sedge or October Caddis) is especially important as a big-trout hatch.
Limnephilidae contains so many species that it is difficult to generalize about them all. LaFontaine commented on the task in Caddisflies:
I recommend learning which genera or species are prevalent in your area and studying them specifically.
Limnephilidae contains so many species that it is difficult to generalize about them all. LaFontaine commented on the task in Caddisflies:
The fact that fly fishermen need broad principles of biology, not a collection of exceptions, makes it difficult to handle this family.
I recommend learning which genera or species are prevalent in your area and studying them specifically.
This specimen is 26 mm.
- Entoman
- Entoman
See 37 more specimens...
References
- LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.