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 Apatania (Early Smoky Wing Sedges)
This far nothern genus is occasionally important in American trout streams, especially the species Apatania incerta.
Genus Range
Specimens of the Caddisfly Genus Apatania
2 Adults
This one actually had a medium tan body when it emerged. By the time I took the picture it was dark as night. I was actually looking through my box of specimens trying to figure out where that tan one I caught disappeared to. Then I realized this is it.
1 Larva
Start a Discussion of Apatania
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 Unpublished workshop manual. 1-176.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 Apatania (Early Smoky Wing Sedges)
Taxonomy
Species in Apatania
Apatania incerta
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Species in Apatania: Apatania incerta
17 species (Apatania alberta, Apatania arizona, Apatania barri, Apatania blacki, Apatania chasica, Apatania comosa, Apatania crymophila, Apatania hirtipes, Apatania nigra, Apatania pictula, Apatania praevolans, Apatania rossi, Apatania shoshone, Apatania sorex, Apatania stigmatella, Apatania tavala, and Apatania zonella) aren't included.