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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.
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Caddisfly Genus Nectopsyche (White Millers)

The common name White Miller is usually applied to this entire genus, although it was created for the very prolific species Nectopsyche albida. Some of the other species are darker-colored.

Most of the adult activity, both emergence and egg-laying, takes place during the middle of the night. There is some rare overlap with the low-light hours of dusk and dawn, but this genus really belongs to the night fishermen.

Where & when

Time of year : Late July to mid-August in the Upper Midwest

In 478 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have mostly been collected during June (30%), July (25%), August (20%), May (11%), and September (6%).

In 167 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 59 to 11401 ft, with an average (median) of 3287 ft.

Genus Range

Hatching behavior

Time of day : Dusk to dawn

Egg-Laying behavior

Time of day: Dusk to nighttime

Larva & pupa biology

Current speed: Slow

Substrate: Vegetation

Specimens of the Caddisfly Genus Nectopsyche

1 Adult

3 Streamside Pictures of Nectopsyche Caddisflies:

Discussions of Nectopsyche

Moved from genus level to N. albida
Posted by Entoman on Jun 15, 2014 in the species Nectopsyche albida
Last reply on Jun 15, 2014 by Entoman
It is my understanding that wing maculation is quite distinctive and consistent in this genus thus allowing species identification using this character. This specimen has been at the genus level for many years and somehow slipped through the cracks.;)
White Miller Bug
3 replies
Posted by MIKE54 on May 3, 2013 in the species Nectopsyche albida
Last reply on May 4, 2013 by Adirman
Where did the name "White Miller" come from, for the caddis bug in the warm Yellowstone waters? I am not interested in the east coast mayfly with the same name. Thanks, Mike Miller.

Start a Discussion of Nectopsyche

References

Caddisfly Genus Nectopsyche (White Millers)

Taxonomy
11 species (Nectopsyche candida, Nectopsyche coloradensis, Nectopsyche gracilis, Nectopsyche lahontanensis, Nectopsyche minuta, Nectopsyche paludicola, Nectopsyche pavida, Nectopsyche spiloma, Nectopsyche stigmatica, Nectopsyche tavara, and Nectopsyche texana) aren't included.
Genus Range
Common Name
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