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3. Butterflies!!

When I was fishing today, I saw ALOT of butterflies and for that matter, moths around the stream. Do trout feed on them? I'm sure they would if they could but I'm wondering if they ever really get closer enough to get taken?

Adirman-

Not so with butterflies, but there are at least (7) families of moths which have aquatic (or semi-aquatic) members. See Aquatic & Semi-aquatic Moth Taxonomic Structure. So, yes, trout are very familiar with them.

Adirman,
Ever heard of a White Miller wet fly? It was supposedly a good imitation of a white Miller moth and was especially effective when used in the evening. Today, there are various flies called White Miller representing various insects. This pattern, however dates back many, many years.

Mark

White Miller? No, I have not. I assume it was a dry? Any idea on size and how its tied?

Adirman,
It was originally a wet fly, but their are dries of the same name. These are probably more white mayfly imitations. The wet fly was for imitating the moth. It dates back a long way.

Mark

Adirman - Aquatic moths and their relationship to trout is an area that needs to be further studied. In many streams their numbers rival the better known macroinvertebrates. Angler entomologies only give them passing mention, if at all.

BTW, the common name "White Miller" is also applied to the lentic loving and nocturnal Nectopsyche, a genus of the caddis family Leptoceridae. This genera's very pale species are fairly widespread and can hatch in incredible numbers. Early morning on many lakes can be primetime if trout are found working the leftovers.

Regards,

Kurt

Ok a slight side track here:
What exactly is the difference between a moth and a butterfly? I know it's probably a laugher of a question but my 4 year old asked me and I had no good answer for him.
JW

Hi John,

Caterpiller moths weave coccoons of silk and Butterflys encase themselves in little plastic like purses.

Moths look all fuzzy and fold their wings over their back.
Butterflies fold their wings upright and look shinier.

Moths like to crawl all around and really like to gather around outside lights at night. Butterflies like to stand still and like to fly around during the day.

About as deep as you want to get with a 4 yr old, I think.

BTW - great question from a child only four - Boy or Girl?

Hope this helps.

Kurt

Kurt,
It's a boy and he is exceptionally inquisitive just like his big brother (well Mom and Dad too).
He and I were cruising along mowing the grass and a little yellow butterfly flew by and he said look at the big moth. My response was "no bud that was a butterfly". TO which he came up with the whats the difference question.
I guess that's the great thing about kids you always have to keep up your knowledge to keep pace with them.
JW

I like that!
The Moth = caddis and Butterfly = mayfly analogy with my kids just didn't cut it...

JW -
Just spent the weekend with my first grandchild (boy that sounds weird... I'm not that old!) and the little guy is already studying things.. Sharing the natural world with our progeny is one of the greatest things we can do as parents. Lasting memories for all! Cherish, as it goes by fast...

Tony -


Great analogy. Never thought of it before, but works for me! I can see how it was a bit much for the kids... :)

regards,

Kurt