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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 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.

Female Paragnetina (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult Pictures

Artistic view of a Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Lateral view of a Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Dorsal view of a Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Ventral view of a Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Ruler view of a Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York
Female Paragnetina (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Aquarium in New York

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

Discussions of this Adult

Paragnetina (female)
Posted by GONZO on Apr 8, 2009
Last reply on Apr 8, 2009 by GONZO
In earlier comments on specimen #756 (Paragnetina, male), I mentioned that I thought this might be the same genus. The appearance of the subgenital plate (in the 3rd photo) seems to confirm that suspicion.

Start a Discussion of Adult

Female Paragnetina (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult Pictures

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