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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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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Caddisfly Species Mystacides sepulchralis (Black Dancers)
Where & when
Preferred waters: Spring ponds and rivers
In 111 records from GBIF, adults of this species have mostly been collected during June (27%), August (25%), July (24%), May (14%), and September (7%).
In 35 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 3 to 3873 ft, with an average (median) of 1181 ft.
Species Range
Larva & pupa biology
Current speed: Still or slow
Specimens of the Caddisfly Species Mystacides sepulchralis
2 Adults
I captured this small caddisfly from one of many dense mating swarms under overhanging alder trees in a slow stretch of the river. There were localized rises of trout under the swarms.
1 Male Adult
This was one of many of its species which were gathered in small, low-flying swarms of about a dozen insects near the alder trees in the afternoon on a small stream.
Start a Discussion of Mystacides sepulchralis
References
- LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.
Caddisfly Species Mystacides sepulchralis (Black Dancers)
Species Range
Common Names
Resources
- NatureServe
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility
- Described by Walker (1852)