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Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana
Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Dorsal view of a Sweltsa (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This species was fairly abundant in a February sample of the upper Yakima.
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.
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.

Dorsal view of a Agnetina capitata (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Nymph from Salmon Creek in New York
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Oct 4, 2006October 4th, 2006, 8:58 am EDT
The row of spinules across the back of the head in combination with the presence of anal gills indicates that Agnetina is the likely genus; and the dorsal pattern appears to be classic capitata.
Troutnut
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Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Oct 4, 2006October 4th, 2006, 9:00 am EDT
Thanks. I've moved it to that species.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
MattyL
Clifton Park, NY

Posts: 1
MattyL on Jul 2, 2008July 2nd, 2008, 3:15 am EDT
Just to add to Gonzo's assessment of characteristics, A. capitata is identified most definitively by looking at the dark pigment on tergum 10 as well as the head pattern. With this species, the pigment band on tergum 10 is uninterrupted (though it narrows quite a bit). The head "M line" is nearly lateral, as apposed to A. flavescens, for example, which really looks like an M with posterolaterally directed arms.
-Matt
Jmd123
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Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474
Jmd123 on Mar 23, 2011March 23rd, 2011, 6:36 am EDT
What a beautiful creature! Jason, did you collect this one? If so, was the leg missing when you collected it? Just curious.

Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Troutnut
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Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Mar 23, 2011March 23rd, 2011, 6:41 am EDT
Yes, I collected it. I don't go pulling legs off my bugs at random, so the leg must have been missing when I found it in my sample tub. However, I sample with a kick-net, which is kind of a rough process for the bugs, so it could have been lost during that. I've also had bugs lose limbs to predators in my bucket/tub, but that's unlikely for a stonefly this size.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Jmd123
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Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474
Jmd123 on Mar 23, 2011March 23rd, 2011, 8:58 am EDT
We handled our bugs pretty roughly during our last project (oil-polluted streams in north Toledo) and I am surprised that more of them didn't end up being damaged. The vast majority of them were perfectly intact, even after we had to subsample and thus give them another round of rough handling. Perhaps attacked by a crayfish or small fish? Or a fight with another stonefly nymph?? Crayfish will go after each other pretty good and tear off limbs.

Again, what a beautiful insect. It makes me glad that I went into entomology. Too many people miss the wonders of the natural world which is all around them, sometime in quite tiny form. A good microscope helps. Gotta take time to "smell the roses".

Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

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