Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
Featured on the forum
This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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.
Martinus on Dec 18, 2011December 18th, 2011, 4:45 pm EST
effectivement belle éphémère, cupida est une des premières a apparaitre en rivière au printemps. Elle est suivie de près par nebulosa.
Martin Grenier
Martin Grenier
PaulRoberts on Dec 18, 2011December 18th, 2011, 5:20 pm EST
actually ephemeral beautiful, greedy is one of the first to appear in the river in the spring. It is followed closely by nebulosa.
Sayfu
Posts: 560
Posts: 560
Sayfu on Dec 19, 2011December 19th, 2011, 5:40 am EST
Now I know where those scary creature movies come from. I can see crowds of people racing through the big city streets to get away from that thing!
PaulRoberts on Dec 19, 2011December 19th, 2011, 9:59 am EST
Now I know where those scary creature movies come from. I can see crowds of people racing through the big city streets to get away from that thing!
You got it. The idea for the alien in the Sigourney Weaver movie, "Alien", came from the dragonfly larva. If you adjust for scale, Hollywood hasn't rivaled what actually exists.
Quick Reply
Related Discussions
Topic
Replies
Last Reply
13
Jun 29, 2011
by Softhackle
by Softhackle
4
Jun 8, 2014
by Oldredbarn
by Oldredbarn
