Blue-winged Olives
Baetis
Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
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This specimen appears to be of the same species as this one collected in the same spot two months earlier. The identification of both is tentative. This one suffered some physical damage before being photographed, too, so the colors aren't totally natural. I was mostly photographing it to test out some new camera setting idea, which worked really well for a couple of closeups.
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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.
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
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
This is Nectopsyche lahontensis.
3 Streamside Pictures of Nectopsyche Caddisflies:
These caddisflies were thick over the water in the evening on a cold, clear northwoods lake. They were in many places on the lake, all closer to the shady shore, which also was the shore most sheltered from the wind. I'm not sure which of those features attracted them.
In this picture: Caddisfly Genus Nectopsyche (White Miller).
This is Nectopsyche albida. Elongate wing connotes female.
In this picture: Caddisfly Genus Nectopsyche (White Miller).
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
- LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.
- Swisher, Doug and Carl Richards. 2000. Selective Trout. The Lyons Press.
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.