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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Adirman on Sep 10, 2010September 10th, 2010, 3:15 am EDT
That Attenuata looks like it truly has the olive body, more so than any BWO pic i've seen yet! Wah tsize would that be tied in to imitate?
Thanks,
Adirman
Thanks,
Adirman
GONZO on Sep 10, 2010September 10th, 2010, 4:31 am EDT
A-man,
The size of A. attenuata is usually around 6-7mm (or somewhere around a #16-18). However, this species is also notorious for creating confusion in fly-fishing literature and getting credit for being a more significant hatch than it probably is. I have some doubts that any of the mayflies pictured in the A. attenuata section are actually that species.
The size of A. attenuata is usually around 6-7mm (or somewhere around a #16-18). However, this species is also notorious for creating confusion in fly-fishing literature and getting credit for being a more significant hatch than it probably is. I have some doubts that any of the mayflies pictured in the A. attenuata section are actually that species.
Taxon on Sep 10, 2010September 10th, 2010, 4:36 am EDT
Adirman-
The male dun and spinner would have a body length of ~6mm, which would translate to hook size #18, and the female would be slightly longer.
EDIT:
Lloyd,
Oh shoot, we've done it again.
The male dun and spinner would have a body length of ~6mm, which would translate to hook size #18, and the female would be slightly longer.
EDIT:
Lloyd,
Oh shoot, we've done it again.
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