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.
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This specimen resembled several others of around the same size and perhaps the same species, which were pretty common in my February sample from the upper Yakima. Unfortunately, I misplaced the specimen before I could get it under a microscope for a definitive ID.
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Flatstick96 has attached these 2 pictures. The message is below.
Flatstick96 on Apr 9, 2010April 9th, 2010, 6:29 am EDT
So when I got into my car to drive to work this AM, this guy was sitting on the passenger's side front seat. You don't see many of his sort 'round these here parts, so I thought I'd snap a few pics when I got to work, in the hopes that maybe one of you could identify this hitchhiker.
He's missing one leg, but he's alive - doesn't move though unless I touch him (and then only barely).
He's missing one leg, but he's alive - doesn't move though unless I touch him (and then only barely).
Taxon on Apr 9, 2010April 9th, 2010, 9:18 am EDT
Flatstick-
It would seem your he is actually a she. Your gorgeous photos are of a female imago of family Heptageniidae. The crowded cross veins at bulla suggest Stenonema femoratum to me, but it seems rather early for their first emergence unless you are from a southern state, so perhaps not.
It would seem your he is actually a she. Your gorgeous photos are of a female imago of family Heptageniidae. The crowded cross veins at bulla suggest Stenonema femoratum to me, but it seems rather early for their first emergence unless you are from a southern state, so perhaps not.
Flatstick96 on Apr 9, 2010April 9th, 2010, 11:14 am EDT
Thanks for the help. I thought it might be a she, actually - but I really wasn't sure...
I'm in Austin, TX - and this is definitely the first mayfly I've ever seen here. I've let it hang out on my desk today, as sort of a "reminder of home" (the people in my office are now convinced I'm nuts).
It's weird, but seeing this thing in my car today brightened my mood noticeably, and having it around all day has made me feel good. I guess it kinda makes sense; for me, mayflies conjure up all sorts of positive images/memories of home, engaging in the one activity I enjoy above all others - trout fishing...
I'm in Austin, TX - and this is definitely the first mayfly I've ever seen here. I've let it hang out on my desk today, as sort of a "reminder of home" (the people in my office are now convinced I'm nuts).
It's weird, but seeing this thing in my car today brightened my mood noticeably, and having it around all day has made me feel good. I guess it kinda makes sense; for me, mayflies conjure up all sorts of positive images/memories of home, engaging in the one activity I enjoy above all others - trout fishing...
Taxon on Apr 10, 2010April 10th, 2010, 3:41 am EDT
Flatstick-
You may need to look a bit closer, as there are ~108 mayfly species reported from TX.
You may need to look a bit closer, as there are ~108 mayfly species reported from TX.
Flatstick96 on Apr 10, 2010April 10th, 2010, 5:20 pm EDT
I can think of some places here where they would likely live, but not many near me (and none in my immediate vicinity) - that's why finding one inside my car kinda caught me off guard.
Do they typically fly very far from wherever they emerge?
Do they typically fly very far from wherever they emerge?
Taxon on Apr 10, 2010April 10th, 2010, 6:03 pm EDT
Flatstick-
No, not typically, although some species are reported to fly upstream several miles prior to oviposition. Under normal circumstances, I would assume there must be a source of moving water fairly close to where you found it, as Heptageniid nymphs cling to the underside rocks or other flat surfaces in slow to moderate current. However, your friend seems to have developed the habit of hitchhiking, so who knows.
No, not typically, although some species are reported to fly upstream several miles prior to oviposition. Under normal circumstances, I would assume there must be a source of moving water fairly close to where you found it, as Heptageniid nymphs cling to the underside rocks or other flat surfaces in slow to moderate current. However, your friend seems to have developed the habit of hitchhiking, so who knows.
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