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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 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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Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Video Clip

Ephemera 1

This mayfly was collected from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin on January 31st, 2004 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on January 25th, 2006.

Discussions of this Nymph

Nice pictures of accompanying Epoicocladius sp. larvae
3 replies
Posted by Beardius on Aug 1, 2008
Last reply on Aug 8, 2008 by Beardius
Several of these pictures show larvae of the midge Epoicocladius (Diptera: Churonomidae: Orthocladiinae) attached to the gills of the nymph. This species is an obligate commensal that feeds on organic material that accumulates on hair tufts at the base of the gills. They are almost always present where burrowing mayflies are present in large numbers. Different species of Epoicocladius are found on Ephemera spp., Hexagenia spp., and Litobrancha sp.

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References

Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Namekagon River, Wisconsin
Date: January 31st, 2004
Added to site: January 25th, 2006
Author: Troutnut
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