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.
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.
True Bug Family Belostomatidae (Giant Water Bugs)
Where & when
In 1049 records from GBIF, adults of this family have mostly been collected during July (12%), September (11%), August (11%), June (10%), October (10%), May (10%), April (10%), March (7%), and November (6%).
In 40 records from GBIF, this family has been collected at elevations ranging from 33 to 12303 ft, with an average (median) of 787 ft.
Family Range
Specimens of Giant Water Bugs:
2 Adults
I'm glad I finally got one of these Belostoma water bugs under my good camera. I had been hoping to get one in my kick-net samples for a while with no luck, but I ended up finding this one drifting midstream just below the surface while I fished. I have frequently seen water scorpions do that, too, and I'm beginning to suspect that is a common situation travel for these large Hemiptera bugs, and perhaps the way trout are used to seeing them.
I haven't seen the imitation of these things stressed, but in August 2003 on one of my favorite rivers the largest brown trout I kept had stomachs full of these things.
Discussions of Belostomatidae
Anyone else find these to be important?
2 replies
Posted by Troutnut on Jul 26, 2006 in the species Belostoma flumineum
Last reply on Oct 9, 2006 by GONZO
Back when I was just starting to learn to fly fish and still kept quite a few fish, I autopsied the stomachs of a couple 17-19 inch brown trout in August and found them packed with these Belostoma flumineum bugs.
I haven't tied a reasonable imitation yet, but if those fish (from a few miles apart on the same river) were so fond of them an imitation is probably a great idea. It would be good to figure out where and when these things are important.
None of the fly fishing literatue I've seen has dealt with them at all, except for mentioning their existence in passing.
I haven't tied a reasonable imitation yet, but if those fish (from a few miles apart on the same river) were so fond of them an imitation is probably a great idea. It would be good to figure out where and when these things are important.
None of the fly fishing literatue I've seen has dealt with them at all, except for mentioning their existence in passing.
Start a Discussion of Belostomatidae
True Bug Family Belostomatidae (Giant Water Bugs)
Taxonomy
Genus in Belostomatidae
Belostoma
2
18
Genus in Belostomatidae: Belostoma
2 genera (Abedus and Lethocerus) aren't included.