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Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
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.

27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
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Rhithrogena virilis Mayfly Nymph Pictures

I'm tentatively calling this specimen Rhithrogena virilis, based on the incomplete key in The Biology of Mayflies which describes the correct body length (12 mm) and a purplish tinge on the dorsal half of the platelike gills. An early specimen posted by Bob Newell describes markings on the last couple abdominal tergites which also match this nymph.

Ruler view of a Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Ventral view of a Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Dorsal view of a Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This mayfly was collected from the Yakima River in Washington on April 24th, 2022 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 27th, 2022.


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References

  • Needham, James G., Jay R. Traver, and Yin-Chi Hsu. 1935. The Biology of Mayflies. Comstock Publishing Company, Inc.

Rhithrogena virilis Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Yakima River, Washington
Date: April 24th, 2022
Added to site: April 27th, 2022
Author: Troutnut
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