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.

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Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington

I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.

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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.

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Non Aquatic ID

JOHNW has attached this picture to aid in identification. The message is below.

JOHNW

Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452

JOHNW on Jul 14, 2011July 14th, 2011, 2:32 pm EDT

I realize these are not the exact perview of this forum however I couldn,t think of a better place to ask with the assembled knowledge which frequents the site.

I photgraphed this caterpillar in the garden eating my carrots this evening. The wife wants to dispatch of it directly since it is eating the greens of one of the very few carrots which are actually growing. To me it vaugely resemblesa monarch and as such I am hesitant to committ insecticide. Can any of the wise "bug guys" provide an identification?

If more info is needed I'll be more than happy to share it.

"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jul 14, 2011July 14th, 2011, 3:51 pm EDT

Hi John,

I believe it is a Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillar. The caterpillers are sometimes called Carrot Worms (among other things). They feed on a number of cultivated plants in the carrot family.

Adirman

Monticello, NY

Posts: 479

Adirman on Jul 14, 2011July 14th, 2011, 5:02 pm EDT

Sounds very destructive but is also very pretty; too bad!

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jul 14, 2011July 14th, 2011, 5:14 pm EDT

Agreed.

JOHNW

Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452

JOHNW on Jul 15, 2011July 15th, 2011, 12:01 pm EDT

Hi John,

I believe it is a Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillar. The caterpillers are sometimes called Carrot Worms (among other things). They feed on a number of cultivated plants in the carrot family.

Does this mean that my parsnips are in jeopardy?

I don't mind them eating the carrots since of the 300 seeds we planted only 3 came up. Essentially we are writing them off anyway but the parsnips would mean WAR!

"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn

Jmd123