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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.

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington
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.
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.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Caddisfly Species Leucotrichia sarita (Ring Horn Microcaddisflies)

Where & when

In 4 records from GBIF, adults of this species have been collected during February (25%), June (25%), November (25%), and April (25%).

In 2 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations of 902 and 943 ft.

Species Range

Identification

Source: A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Leucotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Hydroptilidae, Leucotrichiinae)

Diagnosis. Leucotrichia sarita is similar to Leucotrichia fairchildi, Leucotrichia imitator, and Leucotrichia pictipes. Leucotrichia sarita is distinct from Leucotrichia imitator and possesses a more modified head, due to the presence of eversible posterolateral warts (Fig. 4 D). It does not have any of the further head modifications found on either Leucotrichia fairchildi or Leucotrichia pictipes. The presence of the membranous lobes on the phallus terminating in sclerotized spines also distinguishes Leucotrichia sarita from the other 3 species of the pictipes species group.

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: A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Leucotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Hydroptilidae, Leucotrichiinae)

Description. Male. Length of forewing 2.1 - 3.0 mm (n = 306). Head with posterolateral wart large, eversible, with membranous lobe beneath, with 2 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Dorsum of head brown with yellow setae; thorax brown with dark brown and yellow setae dorsally, brown ventrally; leg segments with brown setae. Forewings covered with fine dark brown setae with stripe of yellow setae running the length of basal 1/3 and scattered patches of yellow setae near apex. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with mesoventral process absent, in its place a few dark, prominent setae. Sternum VIII in ventral view with posterior margin concave. Segment IX anterolateral margin convex, posterolateral margin irregular; in dorsal view anterior margin concave, posterior margin concave. Tergum x with dorsal sclerite slender; ventral sclerite semi-elliptic with crenulate posterior margin; membranous apex with dorsal and ventral lobes. Subgenital plate with dorsal arm not apparent; ventral arm hollow, subtriangular, with basal projection, curved dorsad, in ventral view lanceolate. Inferior appendage straight, digitate, bearing single dorsal spine; in ventral view broadly fused, apex rounded, with small apical "lip" (Fig. 39 D). Phallus apex bearing pair of mesolateral lobes ending in sclerotized spine and numerous small apical spines on dorsal and lateral surface.


Start a Discussion of Leucotrichia sarita

Caddisfly Species Leucotrichia sarita (Ring Horn Microcaddisflies)

Taxonomy
Species Range
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