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.
Stonefly Species Megaleuctra flinti (Tiny Winter Blacks)
Where & when
In 1 records from GBIF, adults of this species have been collected during May (100%).
Species Range
Identification
Species ID from GBIFthe Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Source: The Genus Megaleuctra Neave (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) In North America
Diagnosis. The male of this species can be distinguished from Megaleuctra williamsae, the only other eastern North American species, by the presence of a medial toothed process between the lateral lobes of tergum 9, and by differences in epiproct shape, elongate and triangular shaped in Megaleuctra flinti and short and angular in Megaleuctra williamsae (compare Figs. 22, 29 with Figs. 75, 82). Additionally, the subanal probe of Megaleuctra flinti is expanded medially (Figs. 21, 22, 25, 27), and ends in a pointed tip (Fig. 25), whereas in Megaleuctra williamsae, it is essentially cylindrical throughout its length (Figs. 75, 77), and has a tiny truncate tip (Fig. 81).
The female subgenital plate of Megaleuctra flinti narrows conspicuously from beyond the base to the apex (Figs. 24, 31), whereas the female subgenital plate of Megaleuctra williamsae is subequal in width beyond the base (Figs. 76, 84).
Physical description
Most physical descriptions on Troutnut are direct or slightly edited quotes from the original scientific sources describing or updating the species, although there may be errors in copying them to this website. Such descriptions aren't always definitive, because species often turn out to be more variable than the original describers observed. In some cases, only a single specimen was described! However, they are useful starting points.
Description from GBIFthe Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Source: The Genus Megaleuctra Neave (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) In North America
Male. Macropterous. Length of forewing 9 - 13 mm; body length 10 - 12 mm. General color brown. Wings hyaline, with dark pigment occupying about half the costal space beyond the cord. Radial sector of forewing usually with two branches. Tergum 9 divided by two large lateral lobes, located near posterior margin (Fig. 22, 26, 28). Subgenital plate large, narrowed to rounded apex (Figs. 21, 23, 28), vesicle at base of sternum 9 long, thin and of equal width, with apex rounded (Fig. 23). Epiproct sclerotized, broad at base, narrow and triangle shaped towards apex when expanded (Figs. 25, 29), apex with paired, rounded lobes and larger wing-shaped projections apically when in mid-length position (Fig. 30); subanal probe long and narrow, broader at base, abruptly thinner towards apex, extending beyond tip of epiproct, often recurved over abdomen, thread-like at tip (Figs. 21 - 22, 25 - 29); cerci consist of an elongate single segment (Figs. 21 - 22, 28, 30).
Female. Macropterous. Length of forewing 16 - 18 mm; body length 19 - 20 mm. Coloration similar to male. Radial sector of forewing with two branches. Sternum 8 with subgenital plate extending past tip of abdomen 1.5 - 2.0 mm, narrowing conspicuously beyond base to apex, round in cross section (Figs. 24, 31 - 32). Sternum 9 a long, narrow ovipositor; cerci inconspicuous (Figs. 24, 31).
Egg. Outline globose with faint hexagonal follicle cell impressions covering the surface (Fig. 33). Collar and anchor absent. Chorion with scattered, irregularly spaced pits which may be micropyles (Fig. 34).
Start a Discussion of Megaleuctra flinti
Stonefly Species Megaleuctra flinti (Tiny Winter Blacks)
Species Range
Common Names
Resources
- NatureServe
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility
- Described by Baumann, R.W. (1973) New Megaleuctra from the eastern United States (Plecoptera: Leuctridae). Entomological News 84, 247–250.