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 to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.
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Stonefly Genus Acroneuria (Golden Stones)
This abundant genus has three important East/Midwest species. The superabundant species in the West have been moved to the new genera Calineuria and Hesperoperla.
Genus Range
Identification
To determine whether a specimen of Perlidae belongs to Acroneuria, use the Key to Genera of Perlidae Nymphs.
Specimens of the Stonefly Genus Acroneuria
1 Female Adult
6 Nymphs
The presence of anal gills, large dark spot in the center of the pale occipital bar point to lycorias.
Start a Discussion of Acroneuria
References
- Schwiebert, Ernest G. 1955. Matching the Hatch. MacMillan Publishing Company.
Stonefly Genus Acroneuria (Golden Stones)
Taxonomy
Species in Acroneuria
Acroneuria abnormisCommon Stone
3
32
Acroneuria arenosaEastern Stone
0
0
Acroneuria carolinensisCarolina Stoneflies
1
3
Acroneuria kosztarabiVirginia Stone
0
0
Acroneuria lycoriasBoreal Stoneflies
3
29
Species in Acroneuria: Acroneuria abnormis, Acroneuria arenosa, Acroneuria carolinensis, Acroneuria kosztarabi, Acroneuria lycorias
10 species (Acroneuria arida, Acroneuria evoluta, Acroneuria filicis, Acroneuria flinti, Acroneuria frisoni, Acroneuria hitchcocki, Acroneuria internata, Acroneuria ozarkensis, Acroneuria perplexa, and Acroneuria petersi) aren't included.