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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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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I found this spinner on the same piece of stream as a similar dun, probably of the same species.
GONZO on Oct 20, 2006October 20th, 2006, 3:27 am EDT
Jason-
Your question about the Little J mystery hatch finally motivated me to put all the pieces together on this. I am now confident enough to recommend that specimens #643 (female dun), #622 (female spinner), and #644 (female spinner) should all be entered under Leucrocuta hebe along with the two male spinners already on the Leucrocuta page.
Thomas Ames' Hatch Guide for New England Streams has a photo of a female spinner on pg. 126 that matches these precisely. Apropos of your photo of this specimen in particular, he makes this interesting observation:
"After molting the yellowish hues of the females get richer, and the markings on their clarified wings get more defined, with a propensity toward rainbow-like refractions[my emphasis]."
With a fairly complete collection of photos, the observations from the Little J gang, and mine from pg. 93, I think you can assemble a nice page on L. hebe. You'll have to start by upgrading its significance as an important hatch. It is also surprisingly widespread in both of our states. I have encountered very few streams in PA or NY that didn't have at least a token population, and most have lengthy, fishable hatches.
Like many other hatches that shine in the late season, this one is also historically late in receiving the recognition it deserves.
Your question about the Little J mystery hatch finally motivated me to put all the pieces together on this. I am now confident enough to recommend that specimens #643 (female dun), #622 (female spinner), and #644 (female spinner) should all be entered under Leucrocuta hebe along with the two male spinners already on the Leucrocuta page.
Thomas Ames' Hatch Guide for New England Streams has a photo of a female spinner on pg. 126 that matches these precisely. Apropos of your photo of this specimen in particular, he makes this interesting observation:
"After molting the yellowish hues of the females get richer, and the markings on their clarified wings get more defined, with a propensity toward rainbow-like refractions[my emphasis]."
With a fairly complete collection of photos, the observations from the Little J gang, and mine from pg. 93, I think you can assemble a nice page on L. hebe. You'll have to start by upgrading its significance as an important hatch. It is also surprisingly widespread in both of our states. I have encountered very few streams in PA or NY that didn't have at least a token population, and most have lengthy, fishable hatches.
Like many other hatches that shine in the late season, this one is also historically late in receiving the recognition it deserves.
Martinlf on Nov 10, 2006November 10th, 2006, 8:27 am EST
Way cool...Omigod, I'm on the road to becoming a bug geek. Curse you, Gonzo.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
GONZO on Nov 10, 2006November 10th, 2006, 3:31 pm EST
Sorry, Louis, but I think the latent BG tendency was already there. And your curse is misdirected. Jason is the true instigator--I'm just a hitchhiker (or "clinger," in mayfly nymph terminology). :)
Troutnut on Nov 11, 2006November 11th, 2006, 6:28 am EST
It's okay, he doesn't need to blame one of us. He can blame both!
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Martinlf on Nov 12, 2006November 12th, 2006, 5:40 am EST
Don't try to save Gonzo by taking on blame, Jason; he is clearly the main culprit. He had me counting tails on "sulphurs" long before I discovered the addictive pull of your bug site.
So that ancient and crippling Druidic curse that results in the victim thinking incessantly of various salmonids and their dinners falls only on him. . . .
OH, drat, another wasted curse!
So that ancient and crippling Druidic curse that results in the victim thinking incessantly of various salmonids and their dinners falls only on him. . . .
OH, drat, another wasted curse!
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
GONZO on Nov 12, 2006November 12th, 2006, 6:23 am EST
OK....I am Spartacus!....No, I am Spartacus! Curse away, pal! We can't all live forever, and if I have to go, dreaming of salmonids and their dinners is a far better way than most!!! :)
Martinlf on Nov 12, 2006November 12th, 2006, 11:07 am EST
No, I now withdraw the curse, wasted on Gonzo because I realize he long ago fell prey to trout obsession. I shall instead curse politicians who need this curse more than he does. Live on Spartacus!!
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
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