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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 Epeorus albertae (Heptageniidae) (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph from the East Fork Issaquah Creek in Washington
This specimen keys to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.
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 thoracica (Saddle-case Makers)

Where & when

In 19 records from GBIF, adults of this species have been collected during July (47%), June (32%), August (16%), and May (5%).

In 11 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 5187 to 10331 ft, with an average (median) of 6079 ft.

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 2.8 – 3.2 mm; female 3.2 – 3.8 mm. Color yellowish-brown in alcohol, appendages paler; wing uniformly colored, without evidence of cross bar. Mesothorax of male narrow and greatly acute anteromesally; mesoscutal wart elongate, narrowed, sharply angulate anteromesally; mesoscutal setae long. Mesothoracic tegulae of male rounded, greatly enlarged; tegular setae long; tegular gland elongate, pleated, concertina-­like. Male genitalia. Sternum VI process short, subtruncate. Tergum IX ventral margin rounded, tapered from anterolateral margin, slightly produced posteroventrally. Inferior appendages short, subtruncate apically. Tergum X short, about as long as wide, apex in ventral view truncate to subtruncate; ventrolateral processes with apices incurved, nearly planar in caudal view, mesal margin acute; apices not or scarcely posteriorly bent. Phallobase large, rounded anteriorly, with dorsal and ventral margins subparallel, apicodorsal projection short, with slight upward inflection at base, apex subacute. Phallic apparatus with 2 phallic spines, subequal in length, about 1 / 2 length of phallobase, strongly sinuously curved.


Start a Discussion of Culoptila thoracica

Caddisfly Species Culoptila thoracica (Saddle-case Makers)

Taxonomy
Species Range
Common Name
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