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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Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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DMM
Posts: 34
Posts: 34
DMM on Feb 3, 2007February 3rd, 2007, 4:24 pm EST
I can't tell you the genus, but I can do better than family: Tanytarsini. They're filter-feeding Chironomidae.
David
Troutnut on Feb 11, 2007February 11th, 2007, 8:12 am EST
Not disinterested, but I don't have those intermediate taxonomic levels built into the database of this site. If I did, it would take a lot more clicks, CPU, and bandwidth to navigate from order to species or anything. That's one reason I integrated the forum with the insect section in the first place... so those extra details can be added here. :) Thanks.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist