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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This specimen keys pretty easily to Onocosmoecus, and it closely resembles a specimen from Alaska which caddis expert Dave Ruiter recognized as this genus. As with that specimen, the only species in the genus documented in this area is Onocosmoecus unicolor, but Dave suggested for that specimen that there might be multiple not-yet-distinguished species under the unicolor umbrella and it would be best to stick with the genus-level ID. I'm doing the same for this one.
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Stonefly Genus Claassenia (Golden Stones)
The western genus Claassenia currently has only one species. See the species hatch page for details.
Genus Range
Identification
To determine whether a specimen of Perlidae belongs to Claassenia, use the Key to Genera of Perlidae Nymphs.
Specimens of the Stonefly Genus Claassenia
1 Male Adult
The males have these abbreviated wings. I doubt they can fly but they can run faster than any stonefly I have seen. The also have an interesting habit of jumping.
1 Female Adult
I think this is one of the most poorly understood of the golden stoneflies. It is rare to see any articles about it or fishing the hatch. It emerges late in summer usually on medium to large rivers.The adults are quite secretive but it is something to see the adults run across the water surface. These guys can really run. The males have short wings.The females are up to 1 1/4 inch long rivaling the salmonfly as the largest adult stonefly in the west.The adults are not real golden in color, especially the females which are more of an off yellow to off white abdomen. In handling the adults it is obvious that they shun direct sunlight. I find them by turning over rocks close to the water's edge.
4 Nymphs
This is a stonefly that has recently molted and has not yet darkened.
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Stonefly Genus Claassenia (Golden Stones)
Taxonomy
Species in Claassenia
Claassenia sabulosaShortwing Stoneflies
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Species in Claassenia: Claassenia sabulosa