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.

Of all the pools I've fished, this one was most deserving of the colorful little brook trout it held.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York

Stream photos

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Kogotus Stonefly Nymph Kogotus Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Kogotus (Perlodidae) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington

This one pretty clearly keys to Kogotus, but it also looks fairly different from specimens I caught in the same creek about a month later in the year. With only one species of the genus known in Washington, I'm not sure about the answer to this ID.

8 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.

Stonefly Genus Perlesta (Golden Stones)

This is a large genus in the Acroneuriinae subfamily that currently contains 24 species. Distribution is primarily southern though a few species make it into the East and Midwest. Perlesta placida is reportedly a common species. Only a single western species of limited importance and distribution is known for the southern Rockies.

Where & when

In 194 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have mostly been collected during June (42%), July (27%), May (18%), and August (10%).

In 34 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 420 to 11001 ft, with an average (median) of 4117 ft.

Genus Range

source

Map of specific collection sites

Identification

To determine whether a specimen of Perlidae belongs to Perlesta, use the Key to Genera of Perlidae Nymphs.

Specimens of the Stonefly Genus Perlesta

1 Female Adult

Female Perlesta (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult

9 Pictures

Lateral view of a Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York

This stonefly species was the most common insect over the small stream I fished one August afternoon; I saw dozens in their egg-laying flights.

Collected August 23, 2006 from Enfield Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on August 27, 2006

Collected August 23, 2006 from Enfield Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on August 27, 2006

Discussions of Perlesta

Perlesta placida

14 replies

Posted by Mad4Trout on Jul 3, 2011 in the species Perlesta placida

Last reply on Nov 27, 2011 by Mad4Trout

I don't know why "Stoneflies of the United States" has such a limited range for Perlesta placida, but we (Madmen Chapter of TU) have collected them on the Mad River, Logan Co., OH. They were reported by Gaufin (1956, Ohio J. Sci. 56 (6):321-324) in numerous counties. They have been recorded more recently by Ohio EPA.

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