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Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana
Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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.

Lepidostoma (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Pictures

This one got a little bit damaged in the abdomen when I extracted it from its case. That's a delicate job.

Case view of a Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York
Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York
Ruler view of a Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Ventral view of a Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York
Dorsal view of a Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York
Ventral view of a Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York
Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York
Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York
Ruler view of a Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Lepidostoma (Lepidostomatidae) (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from Mongaup Creek in New York

This caddisfly was collected from Mongaup Creek in New York on May 6th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 18th, 2007.

Discussions of this Larva

Caddis ID
1 replies
Posted by DMM on May 18, 2007
Last reply on Dec 22, 2007 by Creno
It may be Lepidostoma. It appears to be lacking a dorsal hump, and the genus is quite large. The cases can be highly variable and can be made of sand or organic materials.
Perhaps Platycentropus
1 replies
Posted by Taxon on May 18, 2007
Last reply on May 18, 2007 by Troutnut
Based on the case, I would think Platycentropus. Can you see if it has prosternal horns extending beyond the head capsule to mentum of labium? See Merrit p. 375 Figure 18.191.
Cased caddis needs an ID
Posted by Troutnut on May 18, 2007
Last reply on May 18, 2007 by Troutnut
My pictures of this one aren't great so I'd rather not try to actually follow a key through for it... any of you caddis guys just recognize it? It's a pretty distinctive case.

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References

Lepidostoma (Little Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Pictures

Collection details
Location: Mongaup Creek, New York
Date: May 6th, 2007
Added to site: May 18th, 2007
Author: Troutnut
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