Header image
Enter a name
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.

Dorsal view of a Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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.
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.

Psilotreta labida (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Pictures

I like how the green of this larva's body shows through the slightly translucent sand grains of its case.

Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York
Ruler view of a Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Case view of a Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York
Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York
Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York
Lateral view of a Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York
Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York
Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York
Psilotreta labida (Odontoceridae) (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Fall Creek in New York

This caddisfly was collected from Fall Creek in New York on March 30th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 2nd, 2007.

Discussions of this Larva

One of several new specimens today
3 replies
Posted by Troutnut on Apr 2, 2007
Last reply on Feb 12, 2009 by Creno
I added several new bugs I collected this week to the site tonight, including this caddisfly. Anybody care to ID it?

To view all the new specimens, go to any page of this site outside the forum section (like the homepage) and look under "recent updates" in the left column.

I'll be adding some even better bug pictures tomorrow from a collecting trip a couple days later.
Caddisfly ID
1 replies
Posted by Taxon on Apr 3, 2007
Last reply on Apr 3, 2007 by GONZO
Jason-

My guess would be Psilotreta or another Odontocerid.

Start a Discussion of Larva

Psilotreta labida (Dark Blue Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Pictures

Collection details
Location: Fall Creek, New York
Date: March 30th, 2007
Added to site: April 2nd, 2007
Author: Troutnut
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy