Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
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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.
- 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.
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Lifeaquatic has attached these 4 pictures to aid in identification. The message is below.
Lifeaquatic on Dec 9, 2007December 9th, 2007, 8:54 am EST
these pictures were taken on my last day of fishing in central VT this season, oct 25 i believe.
baetis?
baetis?
we seek for slumbering trout,and whispering in their ears,
give them unquiet dreams.
give them unquiet dreams.
Taxon on Dec 9, 2007December 9th, 2007, 1:17 pm EST
Mike-
The size (looks like about 4 mm based on the fingernail) and the apparent absence of hind wings cause me to suspect your mayfly may be a Plauditus male subimago.
The size (looks like about 4 mm based on the fingernail) and the apparent absence of hind wings cause me to suspect your mayfly may be a Plauditus male subimago.
Lifeaquatic on Dec 11, 2007December 11th, 2007, 12:15 pm EST
thanks roger, bwo patterns were the closest i had but they werent producing. looking at the picture now a light bodied fly may have been better as the underside of the abdomen appears to be pretty light colored.
we seek for slumbering trout,and whispering in their ears,
give them unquiet dreams.
give them unquiet dreams.
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