Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
Featured on the forum
I caught this tiny larva without a case, but it seems to key pretty clearly to to Glossosomatidae. From there, the lack of sclerites on the mesonotum points to either Glossosoma or Anagapetus. Although it's difficult to see in a 2D image from the microscope, it's pretty clear in the live 3D view that the pronotum is only excised about 1/3 of its length to accommodate the forecoxa, not 2/3, which points to Glossosoma at Couplet 5 of the Key to Genera of Glossosomatidae Larvae.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and
fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or
support the project for an enhanced experience here.
Mayfly Genus Timpanoga
This genus contains two subspecies that create localized fishable hatches throughout the West. Timpanoga hecuba hecuba can be important east of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada Mountains. Timpanoga hecuba pacifica can be important on the Coast, as its name implies.
Genus Range
Specimens of the Mayfly Genus Timpanoga
1 Female Dun
This specimen is 14 mm. Technically this is the subspecies T. h. hecuba. The Cascades, Sierras and further West is where the other subspecies, T. h. pacifica is found. The Great Basin seems to have formed a barrier preventing any overlap in their distribution.
2 Nymphs
Start a Discussion of Timpanoga
Mayfly Genus Timpanoga
Taxonomy
Species in Timpanoga
Timpanoga hecubaGreat Red Quills
3
11
Species in Timpanoga: Timpanoga hecuba