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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This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.
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Caddisfly Genus Ptilostomis (Giant Rusty Sedges)
The most important species are Ptilostomis ocellifera and Ptilostomis semifasciata, which may often be found together producing fishable hatches at night. They are very large insects and hefty nocturnal brown trout may feed on their pupae.
Genus Range
Larva & pupa biology
Current speed: Slow or still
Substrate: Vegetation is preferred but not required
Start a Discussion of Ptilostomis
References
- LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.
- Swisher, Doug and Carl Richards. 2000. Selective Trout. The Lyons Press.
Caddisfly Genus Ptilostomis (Giant Rusty Sedges)
Taxonomy
Species in Ptilostomis: Ptilostomis ocellifera, Ptilostomis semifasciata
3 species (Ptilostomis angustipennis, Ptilostomis dubitans, and Ptilostomis postica) aren't included.