Updates from May 5, 2007

This seems to be a mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi. Normally this species is more mottled.

This specimen isn't in the best of shape, as it's missing all three tails, but it's the only one of its species I captured in this sample.

This is one of the most vividly green Hydropsychidae larvae I've caught.

This specimens shows that the name "green rockworm" doesn't quite fit all Rhyacophila larvae, even though it does fit the majority. This is actually the first of their larvae that I've found in a different color. I'm not sure if it's because of the species or because this is a young one, but I have found equally small green larvae, so I'm guessing it's the species.

I think this is a pretty early instar Ameletus nymph. It's certainly a striking one.

The size of the head compared to the body in this larva is surprising, and I think this means it's a fairly early instar of something which is going to get a lot bigger, but I'm not sure.

This one got a little bit damaged in the abdomen when I extracted it from its case. That's a delicate job.

Even though I already have pictures of a Rhyacophila pupa in its cocoon, I took this one and then tried to keep the pupa alive, hoping to photograph it in several stages of development. That didn't work out; it seems to have died without changing much. Oh well.

The closed-off case opening suggests this one was already beginning to pupate, which also explains the unusual shape. I damaged it a little bit getting it out of its case.

This is either Neoleptophlebia or Paraleptophlebia; I know of no way to be sure from a female dun alone. The genus is only a guess based on the fact that I found more Neoleptophlebia nymphs in the general area.