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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Definition of 'ocellus'
Definition of 'ocellus'
Ocellus: A simple non-compound, single lens eye found in many arthropods. Most aquatic insects have two, three, or none, located between the compound eyes on the head. As an adjective, "ocellar" refers to the region near the ocelli.
These other words reference the same concept: ocelli, ocellar.
These other words reference the same concept: ocelli, ocellar.
