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Lateral view of a Male Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #43 in New York
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.

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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 Species Nectopsyche albida (White Millers)

This is the most prominent species of Nectopsyche in most northern states nationwide, and it earned the common name "White Miller" for the genus.

Because Nectopsyche albida is nocturnal, is a favorite of late-season night fishermen.

Where & when

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

In 64 records from GBIF, adults of this species have mostly been collected during June (41%), July (17%), August (17%), May (11%), and September (6%).

In 15 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 466 to 4606 ft, with an average (median) of 1112 ft.

Species Range

Hatching behavior

Time of day : Dusk or night

Egg-Laying behavior

Time of day: Dusk or night

Discussions of Nectopsyche albida

Moved from genus level to N. albida
Posted by Entoman on Jun 15, 2014
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
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 albida

References

Caddisfly Species Nectopsyche albida (White Millers)

Taxonomy
Species Range
Common Name
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