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Lateral view of a Male Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #43 in New York
Blue-winged Olives
Baetis

Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.

Dorsal view of a Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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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Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Dorsal view of a Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Marengo River in Wisconsin
Ventral view of a Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Marengo River in Wisconsin
Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Marengo River in Wisconsin
Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Marengo River in Wisconsin

This mayfly was collected from the Marengo River in Wisconsin on June 5th, 2005 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 25th, 2006.

Discussions of this Nymph

This is not Ephemera simulans
1 replies
Posted by Beardius on Aug 1, 2008
Last reply on Aug 1, 2008 by Troutnut
This looks to be either Hexagenia or Litobrancha based upon the frontal process being rounded and not forked. Probably is Hexagenia based upon where it was collected and Hexagenia being so widespread and common, but I cannot tell from the photo if the gill on the first abdominal segment is forked or single from these photos.

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Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Marengo River, Wisconsin
Date: June 5th, 2005
Added to site: May 25th, 2006
Author: Troutnut
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