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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.

Dorsal view of a Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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.
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Caddisfly Species Culoptila kimminsi (Saddle-case Makers)

Species Range

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.

Source: Revision of the genus Culoptila (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae)

Adult. Length of forewing: male 3.2 – 3.6 mm; female 3.2 mm. Color light brown; wing with nearly complete, linear whitish bar at wing anastomosis. Mesothorax of male narrow anteromesally; mesoscutal wart elongate, narrowed, rounded anteromesally; mesoscutal setae long. Mesothoracic tegulae of male rounded, greatly enlarged; tegular setae short; tegular gland large, rounded, with several pleated folds. Male genitalia. Sternum VI process short, subtruncate. Tergum IX ventral margin acutely angled, tapered from anterolateral margin, not produced posteroventrally. Inferior appendages very long, narrow apically, divergent basally, curving mesad apically. Tergum X short, about as long as wide, apex in ventral view broadly rounded to subtruncate; ventrolateral processes with apices incurved, nearly planar in caudal view, mesal margin acute; apices not or scarcely posteriorly bent. Apicodorsal projection arched, moderately elongate, apex subacute. Phallic apparatus with 2 phallic spines, phallic spines united basally, shorter spine much thickened, sinuously twisted around longer spine, with numerous, overlapping accessory spines, longer spine about 2 / 3 length of phallobase, weakly curved, apically narrowed, acuminate.


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References

Caddisfly Species Culoptila kimminsi (Saddle-case Makers)

Taxonomy
Species Range
Common Name
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