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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Isidro
Posts: 24
Posts: 24
Isidro on Mar 26, 2008March 26th, 2008, 2:39 am EDT
This one is very common into my city and could be the adult of the nymph showed in the last thread. It's a big one, about 20 mm. wingspan. Two cerci, very big eyes and very conspicuous dark venation. Could be Ecdyonurus cf. venosus?
This one is about to becomes a ctrab spider lunch.
Zaragoza, NE Spain.
Many thanks,
Isidro
This one is about to becomes a ctrab spider lunch.
Zaragoza, NE Spain.
Many thanks,
Isidro
Taxon on Mar 26, 2008March 26th, 2008, 6:15 am EDT
Isidro-
Yes, Ecdyonurus venosus, however I suspect the body length (not including tails) may be more like 14 mm.
Yes, Ecdyonurus venosus, however I suspect the body length (not including tails) may be more like 14 mm.
Isidro
Posts: 24
Posts: 24
Isidro on Mar 26, 2008March 26th, 2008, 6:54 pm EDT
Wow!!! Many thanks Taxon!! You have identified it at species level! I had doubts because there are more similar species in genus. Yes, the body length, as you said, I thinks is about 15 mm. (without cerci).
Then, I think that the nymph in the last post is from this species, due to any other Ecdyonurus is seen into my city and this one is very common.
Then, I think that the nymph in the last post is from this species, due to any other Ecdyonurus is seen into my city and this one is very common.
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