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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This one seems to lead to Couplet 35 of the Key to Genera of Perlodidae Nymphs and the genus Isoperla, but I'm skeptical that's correct based on the general look. I need to get it under the microscope to review several choices in the key, and it'll probably end up a different Perlodidae.
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Stonefly Species Strophopteryx fasciata (Mottled Willowflies)
Where & when
Time of year : Late March and early April
In 78 records from GBIF, adults of this species have mostly been collected during March (37%), February (28%), April (14%), and January (13%).
In 14 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 20 to 2723 ft, with an average (median) of 673 ft.
Species Range
Specimens of the Stonefly Species Strophopteryx fasciata
2 Male Adults
This male died overnight before I had the chance to photograph him, so his abdomen is shorter than it should be because it shriveled a bit.
2 Female Adults
Several stoneflies of this species were the first adult insects I found in 2004 when I started this site. The hatch was sparse but lasted a good part of the day, and I noted a few good rises despite the early season cold. They ended up struggling on the water's surface fairly often.
Several stoneflies of this species were the first adult insects I found in 2004 when I started this site. The hatch was sparse but lasted a good part of the day, and I noted a few good rises despite the early season cold. They ended up struggling on the water's surface fairly often.
1 Nymph
Start a Discussion of Strophopteryx fasciata
References
- Swisher, Doug and Carl Richards. 2000. Selective Trout. The Lyons Press.
Stonefly Species Strophopteryx fasciata (Mottled Willowflies)
Species Range
Common Names
Resources
- NatureServe
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility
- Described by Burmeister, H. (1839) 2 Handbuch der EntomologieZweite Halfte. Neuroptera. Reimer, Berlin. Available from: http://openlibrary.org/b/OL17902539M/ I-XII + 757-1050