Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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Stonefly Genus Taeniopteryx (Early Black Stoneflies)
Several species of early black stoneflies may be important, but Taeniopteryx nivalis is the most common.
Where & when
In 254 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have mostly been collected during March (35%), February (24%), January (20%), April (12%), and December (6%).
In 24 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 180 to 11430 ft, with an average (median) of 2756 ft.
Genus Range
Specimens of the Stonefly Genus Taeniopteryx
5 Nymphs
I found this nymph wriggling in the surface film during a hatch of related Strophopteryx adults. This nymph died in transport so it's not alive in the photos, but it's pretty close to its live colors.
Start a Discussion of Taeniopteryx
References
- Schwiebert, Ernest G. 1955. Matching the Hatch. MacMillan Publishing Company.
- Swisher, Doug and Carl Richards. 2000. Selective Trout. The Lyons Press.
Stonefly Genus Taeniopteryx (Early Black Stoneflies)
Taxonomy
Species in Taeniopteryx
Taeniopteryx nivalisBoreal Willowflies
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Species in Taeniopteryx: Taeniopteryx nivalis
10 species (Taeniopteryx burksi, Taeniopteryx lita, Taeniopteryx lonicera, Taeniopteryx maura, Taeniopteryx metequi, Taeniopteryx nelsoni, Taeniopteryx parvula, Taeniopteryx robinae, Taeniopteryx starki, and Taeniopteryx ugola) aren't included.