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.
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Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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Caddisfly Genus Oecetis (Long Horn Sedges)
Trout may feed selectively on caddisflies of this widespread genus. Their lengthy antennae give them the common name Long-Horned Sedge, although that's also a good description of the rest of the Leptoceridae family.
Where & when
Time of year : Generally spread out, with various species-specific peaks
In 959 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have mostly been collected during July (24%), June (23%), August (19%), May (13%), and September (10%).
In 478 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 3 to 12631 ft, with an average (median) of 2526 ft.
Genus Range
Larva & pupa biology
In Caddisflies, Gary LaFontaine recommends using imitations of Oecetis larvae as searching patterns in May, June, and July on streams where they are abundant.Specimens of the Caddisfly Genus Oecetis
1 Adult
1 Larva
Start a Discussion of Oecetis
References
- Jacobus, L. M., Wiersema, N.A., and Webb, J.M. 2014. Identification of Far Northern and Western North American Mayfly Larvae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera), North of Mexico; Version 2. Joint Aquatic Science meeting, Portland, OR. Unpublished workshop manual. 1-176.
- LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.
- Swisher, Doug and Carl Richards. 2000. Selective Trout. The Lyons Press.
Caddisfly Genus Oecetis (Long Horn Sedges)
Taxonomy
Species in Oecetis
Oecetis avaraTan Spotted-Wing Long-Horned Sedges
1
1
Oecetis disjuncta
0
0
Oecetis inconspicuaPlain Red-Brown Long-Horned Sedges
0
0
Oecetis ochracea
0
0
18 species (Oecetis albescens, Oecetis arizonica, Oecetis cinerascens, Oecetis daytona, Oecetis ditissa, Oecetis eddlestoni, Oecetis georgia, Oecetis immobilis, Oecetis nocturna, Oecetis osteni, Oecetis ouachita, Oecetis ozarkensis, Oecetis parva, Oecetis persimilis, Oecetis porteri, Oecetis pratelia, Oecetis scala, and Oecetis sphyra) aren't included.