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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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Baetis (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Ruler view of a Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #62 in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Dorsal view of a Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
Lateral view of a Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #62 in New York

This mayfly was collected from Mystery Creek #62 in New York on April 1st, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 3rd, 2007.

Discussions of this Nymph

Diphetor
5 replies
Posted by Earlfishman on Apr 11, 2007
Last reply on Apr 13, 2007 by Troutnut
Jason,

I really enjoy your site, you've got some great photos and some really good info. I just wanted to let you know that this mayfly looks like it might actually be a Baetis sp., not a Diphetor hageni. Diphetor's antenna would be much closer together at the base and there would definitely be no gill on ab seg. 1. I can't give you a sure ID without photos of the front of the head and the mouth parts.

Keep up the good work.

Earl

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Baetis (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Mystery Creek #62, New York
Date: April 1st, 2007
Added to site: April 3rd, 2007
Author: Troutnut
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