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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.

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.
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GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Oct 28, 2008October 28th, 2008, 6:38 am EDT
This looks like Acroneuria, and the markings on the nymphal shuck seem to be a good match for carolinensis.
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Mar 11, 2012March 11th, 2012, 3:22 am EDT
The head markings are usually a little different on carolinensis. This looks to be a good match for lycorias. The contrasting bands of the husk were probably muted some when still encasing the nymph and are dark both at the apexes and basally as opposed to just at the apexes as most often seen with carolinensis. I also think I'm seeing the remnants of anal gills. This is a beautiful specimen! Most Acroneuria are much more somber.

BTW - the look of the ventral terminalia (subgenital plate & small 9th sternum) connote female.

A. lycorias
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/100463029

A. carolinensis
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/113177968

"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
PaulRoberts
PaulRoberts's profile picture
Colorado

Posts: 1776
PaulRoberts on Mar 16, 2012March 16th, 2012, 8:10 am EDT
I see a difference between the two that appears to be consistent in the images I've looked at, at least for larvae, and that is that abnormis' prothorax is more rectangular, while carolinensis is more oval -rounded, esp at the caudal (rearward) edges. Do you see this too?

I guess I'm not surprised to see the variations in coloration, although in the central NY waters I frequented, A. abnormis was usually a very dark brown critter with lemony underparts, compared to the brighter A. carolinensis.

Here are some ties I’d made back then for each:




Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Mar 16, 2012March 16th, 2012, 10:41 am EDT
Great buggy looking designs, as usual for you Paul.

I see a difference between the two that appears to be consistent in the images I've looked at, at least for larvae, and that is that abnormis' prothorax is more rectangular, while carolinensis is more oval -rounded, esp at the caudal (rearward) edges. Do you see this too?

Now that you point it out, I do!

Its funny, but when working on species you don't have a lot of personal experience with , you have to resort heavily on the keys. Once you've done it enough you start to recognize other differences. A good analogy would be handing a key to somebody who's never seen elephants before. After looking at toenails and hair tail counts referenced in the key, the individual is able to determine which one is Indian and which one is African. After that telling them apart is easy!:)

I guess I'm not surprised to see the variations in coloration, although in the central NY waters I frequented, A. abnormis was usually a very dark brown critter with lemony underparts, compared to the brighter A. carolinensis.

Yes, you describe the common color schemes. While generally useful, there are enough variations that they aren't dependable for determinations.

Gonzo had an interesting comment a while back where he referenced a conversation he had with Dr. Chandler. He pointed out that in some watersheds the variabilities are so obscure among the three major species of nymphs that telling them apart may require association with male adults to identify with absolute certainty.

Generally, I've found the best way to tell the nymphs apart are the presence of the following characters:

abnormis - thin roughly parallel sided pale occipital bar with pale unattached thin commas near the ocelli or absent; broken or indistinct 'W' mark; legs either solid colored or with long dark longitudinal bars or streaks; terga w/ dark central bands, or solid dark; anal gills usually absent.

carolinensis - thicker tapered pale occipital bar with pale attached heavy triangular or rounded markings near ocelli; distinct 'W' mark; legs with pale bands or blotches; terga w/ dark apical bands or solid dark; anal gills usually absent.

lycorias - very similar to carolinensis but usually with a large dark spot intruding into the center of the pale occipital band making it appear very thin there, or if not, a very thick W mark; terga w/ dark bands both apically and basally or solid dark; anal gills usually present.

As Dr. Chandler pointed out, these characters are far from absolute, but I believe they are much more dependable than going by shade of dorsal habitus alone.
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Feathers5
Posts: 287
Feathers5 on Mar 19, 2012March 19th, 2012, 7:08 am EDT
Paul. You gotta come up with a step by step pattern tutorial for these stoneflies complete with photos for each step. They really look like great patterns. I have about 3 different stonefly patterns. I'm always looking for another good one and I think yours is one of them.
Bruce
PaulRoberts
PaulRoberts's profile picture
Colorado

Posts: 1776
PaulRoberts on Mar 19, 2012March 19th, 2012, 7:21 am EDT
When I can clear some time. It's pretty straightforward though: dub, overlay, dub, overlay, etc...

Here's another, that's actually quicker to tie:

Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Mar 19, 2012March 19th, 2012, 9:26 am EDT
Oops... I just noticed that after moving this specimen out of carolinensis I inadvertantly put it in with abnormis. While it's certainly possible to be the former, I think it's pretty safe to say it isn't the latter. :) Been doing a lot of editing lately and must have hit the wrong button. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman

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