1. Troutnut Forum
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2. Specimen Discussion
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3. Stenochironomus poecilopterus

After looking at Falsifly's cool midge pictures (and badly misinterpreting them), I decided to attempt a midge identification. That's a scary prospect for me, but I picked this one because the distinctive wing, body, and leg markings made it easy to follow the key.

Neat. I moved it into Stenochironomus, but I don't even have midge species in the database.

Bummer, Jason! This may be the only midge that I'll ever be able to ID to species. (I was thinking of naming Falsifly's midge Meaculpa maxima, but my Latin isn't good enough to be sure that the gender of the species agrees with the genus.) :)

PS--I think my favorite name for a real midge is Dicrotendipes thanatogratus. John Epler named that species for the Grateful Dead!

Okay, I added it just for you! A midge species ID deserves at least that much reward, if not some kind of medal...

Thanks! I am deeply honored by your gesture.

Now I've just got to collect a specimen of Dicrotendipes thanatogratus and we'll be all set. Any idea where to start?

Pack your bags and your Bermudas, Jason. I believe that Dr. Epler probably found it in Florida.

Wow, I don't know what would happen if I were to travel that far from the nearest salmonid. I have survived a couple years in the absence of nearby wild trout, but the plentiful large Arctic grayling do make that easier. Florida might be a bit too treacherous!