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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This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.
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Taxon on Apr 18, 2007April 18th, 2007, 8:17 pm EDT
Okay, does anyone recognize this mayfly. I am guessing that it's a female subimago of genus Isonychia, but it sure has striking coloration.
Troutnut on Apr 19, 2007April 19th, 2007, 4:13 am EDT
I think you're right. I couldn't say what species it is, but I don't see any reason not to presume I. bicolor.
I'm also not 100% positive it's a female, since the rear end is pretty blurry. Males in Isonychia have unusually small eyes.
I'm also not 100% positive it's a female, since the rear end is pretty blurry. Males in Isonychia have unusually small eyes.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Quillgordon on Apr 19, 2007April 19th, 2007, 6:46 am EDT
Taxon,
Aren't the legs a big key here.
Front legs ..... brown
Mid/rear legs ....... cream (white)
* Charles Wetzel called the female spinner the 'White-gloved Howdy'.
Q.g.
Aren't the legs a big key here.
Front legs ..... brown
Mid/rear legs ....... cream (white)
* Charles Wetzel called the female spinner the 'White-gloved Howdy'.
Q.g.
Flyfishing is a state of mind! .............. Q.g.
C/R........barbless
C/R........barbless
GONZO on Apr 19, 2007April 19th, 2007, 7:20 am EDT
Roger-
This certainly looks like Isonychia to me. There are several Iso species with a southern distribution, so I won't hazard a guess about species.
John-
The leg colors you mention are pretty typical of Isonychia. Wetzel's "white-gloved howdy" name referred to the white-tipped front legs of the bicolor female, held out as if awaiting a greeting handshake. (I love that name!)
This certainly looks like Isonychia to me. There are several Iso species with a southern distribution, so I won't hazard a guess about species.
John-
The leg colors you mention are pretty typical of Isonychia. Wetzel's "white-gloved howdy" name referred to the white-tipped front legs of the bicolor female, held out as if awaiting a greeting handshake. (I love that name!)
Quillgordon on Apr 19, 2007April 19th, 2007, 7:55 am EDT
John-
The leg colors you mention are pretty typical of Isonychia. Wetzel's "white-gloved howdy" name referred to the white-tipped front legs of the bicolor female, held out as if awaiting a greeting handshake. (I love that name!)
* female spinner only....... @ 'Matching the Hatch', E. Schwiebert Jr. (pg.71).
Right....... These guys from PA. were pretty smart, weren't they. ..... LOL........
Flyfishing is a state of mind! .............. Q.g.
C/R........barbless
C/R........barbless
Taxon on Apr 19, 2007April 19th, 2007, 10:54 am EDT
Gonzo-
Right. There are actually (6) Isonychia species known to be in Alabama, and of those, only I. bicolor is described in flyfishing entomology literature.
Roger-
This certainly looks like Isonychia to me. There are several Iso species with a southern distribution, so I won't hazard a guess about species.
Right. There are actually (6) Isonychia species known to be in Alabama, and of those, only I. bicolor is described in flyfishing entomology literature.
Taxon on Apr 19, 2007April 19th, 2007, 11:11 am EDT
Jason-
Right. Aren't blurry rear ends just the pits! However, I believe the brownish blur is actually some basal cerci segments rather than claspers. Neither the fore legs nor eyes offered much help either. Actually, the character that caused me lean toward female, was the wing venation, which I believe to be more heavily stained in female than male Isonychia.
I'm also not 100% positive it's a female, since the rear end is pretty blurry. Males in Isonychia have unusually small eyes.
Right. Aren't blurry rear ends just the pits! However, I believe the brownish blur is actually some basal cerci segments rather than claspers. Neither the fore legs nor eyes offered much help either. Actually, the character that caused me lean toward female, was the wing venation, which I believe to be more heavily stained in female than male Isonychia.
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