Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana

Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Stream photos

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Glossosoma (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Glossosoma (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Glossosoma (Glossosomatidae) (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

I caught this tiny larva without a case, but it seems to key pretty clearly to to Glossosomatidae. From there, the lack of sclerites on the mesonotum points to either Glossosoma or Anagapetus. Although it's difficult to see in a 2D image from the microscope, it's pretty clear in the live 3D view that the pronotum is only excised about 1/3 of its length to accommodate the forecoxa, not 2/3, which points to Glossosoma at Couplet 5 of the Key to Genera of Glossosomatidae Larvae.

11 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.

Updates from June 24, 2008

Closeup insects by Bnewell from Yellow Bay Creek and Denali National Park in Montana and Alaska

Female Ironodes nitidus (Slate Maroon Drake) Mayfly Spinner

3 Pictures

Female Ironodes nitidus (Heptageniidae) (Slate Maroon Drake) Mayfly Spinner from Yellow Bay Creek in Montana

While relatively rare in most of western Montana, it is common in several small streams along the east side of Flathead Lake and streams on the south side of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Collected June 24, 2008 from Yellow Bay Creek in Montana

Added by Bnewell on June 28, 2011

Collected June 24, 2008 from Yellow Bay Creek in Montana and added by Bnewell on June 28, 2011

Limnephilus externus (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

1 Picture

Limnephilus externus (Limnephilidae) (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Temporary ponds- Glacier Nat. Park in Alaska

This caddis is one of the most abundant caddisflies in temporary ponds of Glacier Park. The larvae build a round case of detritus and dead plant material that can get quite large.

Collected June 24, 2008 from Temporary ponds- Glacier Nat. Park in Alaska

Added by Bnewell on June 26, 2011

Collected June 24, 2008 from Temporary ponds- Glacier Nat. Park in Alaska and added by Bnewell on June 26, 2011