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Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata

The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.

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 Genus Lepidostoma (Little Brown Sedges)

This genus is important for trout anglers. Many species of Lepidostoma produce excellent hatches, especially in the West. Lepidostoma can be very prolific in spring creek environments or smaller runoff streams with springs. Lepidostoma togatum is the most important species of this genus in the East and Midwest. The West has several species that are important.

Where & when

This genus is widely distributed with important species nationwide in all types of water. Some are especially prolific in small streams, and Gary LaFontaine had interesting comments on that in Caddisflies:

I know many fly fishermen, some in the East and some in the Midwest, who have fallen in love with a certain type of trout stream. The big brawling rivers are not for them; no, they stalk the overgrown tributaries of these heavily fished waters instead. ... For these fly-fishing cronies I once had a picture postcard custom made showing an adult of Lepidostoma.

In 552 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have mostly been collected during July (27%), August (24%), June (23%), May (10%), and September (9%).

In 209 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 7 to 19701 ft, with an average (median) of 4321 ft.

Genus Range

Hatching behavior

Time of day : Evenings

The pupae swim up to the surface in slow to medium water and presumably emerge there on the surface. They ride the water for a long time before taking flight. Trout may feed heavily on the drifting pupae, emerging adults, or the emerged wing-drying adults.

Egg-Laying behavior

Lepidostoma adults lay their eggs on or near the surface, but I haven't found the specifics and they probably vary by species.

Larva & pupa biology

Diet: Leaves or pine needles

Shelter type: Four-sided case of bark or leaf pieces, sand case in a round tube shape, or case of tiny twigs "log cabin" style

Lepidostoma larvae are especially likely to undergo behavioral drift in June.

Lepidostoma Fly Fishing Tips

In spite of the common names for this genus, the two most important species (Lepidostoma togatum and Lepidostoma pluviale) have green bodies.

Specimens of the Caddisfly Genus Lepidostoma

3 Male Adults
1 Female Adult
5 Larvae

Start a Discussion of Lepidostoma

References

Caddisfly Genus Lepidostoma (Little Brown Sedges)

Taxonomy
48 species (Lepidostoma acarol, Lepidostoma americana, Lepidostoma aporna, Lepidostoma astanea, Lepidostoma bakeri, Lepidostoma baxea, Lepidostoma cantha, Lepidostoma carolina, Lepidostoma carrolli, Lepidostoma compressa, Lepidostoma deceptiva, Lepidostoma delongi, Lepidostoma ermanea, Lepidostoma errigena, Lepidostoma etnieri, Lepidostoma excavatum, Lepidostoma flinti, Lepidostoma frosti, Lepidostoma glenni, Lepidostoma hoodi, Lepidostoma jewetti, Lepidostoma knulli, Lepidostoma latipennis, Lepidostoma lescheni, Lepidostoma liba, Lepidostoma licola, Lepidostoma lobatum, Lepidostoma lotor, Lepidostoma lydia, Lepidostoma mexicana, Lepidostoma mitchelli, Lepidostoma modesta, Lepidostoma morsei, Lepidostoma ontario, Lepidostoma ormae, Lepidostoma ozarkense, Lepidostoma pictilis, Lepidostoma prominens, Lepidostoma recina, Lepidostoma reosa, Lepidostoma sackeni, Lepidostoma serratum, Lepidostoma sommermanae, Lepidostoma spicata, Lepidostoma stylifer, Lepidostoma tibialis, Lepidostoma veroda, and Lepidostoma weaveri) aren't included.
Genus Range
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