Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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Caddisfly Species Chimarra aterrima (Little Black Sedges)
This species produces heavy hatches throughout its range, where it is both abundant and important. It is better known in the Midwest.
Where & when
In 115 records from GBIF, adults of this species have mostly been collected during June (23%), May (21%), July (16%), August (15%), April (10%), and September (7%).
In 34 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 59 to 2648 ft, with an average (median) of 525 ft.
Species Range
Start a Discussion of Chimarra aterrima
References
- LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.
- Swisher, Doug and Carl Richards. 2000. Selective Trout. The Lyons Press.
Caddisfly Species Chimarra aterrima (Little Black Sedges)
Species Range
Common Names
Resources
- NatureServe
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility
- Described by Hagen (1861)