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.
Featured on the forum
It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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.
Chris_3g
Posts: 59
Posts: 59
Chris_3g on Mar 9, 2009March 9th, 2009, 3:32 am EDT
Join us for the 17th Annual Ithaca Fishing Day, Saturday March 14th from 9 AM - 4 PM, hosted by the Leon Chandler Chapter of Trout Unlimited! Ithaca Fishing Day serves as the Chapter’s primary fundraiser, but we also use it as an opportunity to inform the community about who we are and what we do. The primary event location is in the Boynton Middle School cafeteria with fly casting lessons being held in the gymnasium or outdoors, weather permitting.
Volunteers will be providing fly casting lessons beginning at 11 AM, and fly tying instructions all day! At 11 AM, a couple of the Chapter members will give an introduction to fly fishing presentation, and at 1:30 PM, DEC Aquatic Biologist, James Everard, will discuss how to ID fish in our region.
You can also try your luck at the many bucket raffles we'll have going throughout the day! Common items up for grabs are fly tying materials, books, and basic tackle. For our big raffles, we have a fly rod / fly reel outfit and a limited edition print.
We also have a number of regional vendors, both for fly tackle and for conventional tackle, to stock your tackle box before the start of the fishing season!
Admission to the event and all of the programs are free, but donations are most appreciated. Please visit our website, Leon Chandler TU, and download “IFD 2009 Poster” for additional information. Thanks a lot and hope to see you there!
Volunteers will be providing fly casting lessons beginning at 11 AM, and fly tying instructions all day! At 11 AM, a couple of the Chapter members will give an introduction to fly fishing presentation, and at 1:30 PM, DEC Aquatic Biologist, James Everard, will discuss how to ID fish in our region.
You can also try your luck at the many bucket raffles we'll have going throughout the day! Common items up for grabs are fly tying materials, books, and basic tackle. For our big raffles, we have a fly rod / fly reel outfit and a limited edition print.
We also have a number of regional vendors, both for fly tackle and for conventional tackle, to stock your tackle box before the start of the fishing season!
Admission to the event and all of the programs are free, but donations are most appreciated. Please visit our website, Leon Chandler TU, and download “IFD 2009 Poster” for additional information. Thanks a lot and hope to see you there!
Quick Reply
Related Discussions
Topic
Replies
Last Reply
0
Jun 29, 2012
by Flymom
by Flymom
Super Sunday - August 10th at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum
In General Discussion by Flymom
In General Discussion by Flymom
0
Jun 10, 2008
by Flymom
by Flymom