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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.

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.

Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa Pictures

Several users have interesting comments in the discussion of this specimen, but this observation by Creno is especially good:

Also, this is what I would call an "immature" pupa. The wingpads of caddis pupae darken to nearly black as the enclosed adults near emerging. The darkening is the developing adult wing inside the pupal wing pad. The ultimate coloration of the adult wing is not very apparent in most pupal wing pads as the majority of the adult wing coloration comes from the color/position of the adult wing hairs and setae. But dark pupal wingpads are a good indication that the emergence will occur very soon, likely that day or so, and that the adult parts are sufficiently developed within the pupae to make a species determination from the specimen, particularly if it is a male.

Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Delaware River in New York
Lateral view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Delaware River in New York
Ventral view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Delaware River in New York
Dorsal view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Delaware River in New York
Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Delaware River in New York
Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Delaware River in New York
Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Delaware River in New York
Ruler view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from the Delaware River in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This caddisfly was collected from the Delaware River in New York on May 13th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 18th, 2007.

Discussions of this Pupa

Hydropsychid?
14 replies
Posted by GONZO on May 19, 2007
Last reply on May 7, 2009 by LittleJ
This actually looks more like a hydropsychid to me, probably one of the lighter-winged species of Cheumatopsyche. I hope we can get one of the experts to take a look.

Start a Discussion of Pupa

Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa Pictures

Collection details
Location: Delaware River, New York
Date: May 13th, 2007
Added to site: May 18th, 2007
Author: Troutnut
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