Blue-winged Olives
Baetis
Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
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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.
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Crepuscular has attached these 8 pictures to aid in identification. The message is below.
Crepuscular on Feb 28, 2012February 28th, 2012, 4:38 am EST
Ok I was going through some old photos and found these pics of a green drake collected on the main stem of the Delaware River lust below Hancock.I'm guessing it was just about ready to molt judging from its color but I figured I'd post it to see what you all thought. The blue color on the thorax is an artifact I believe. IThe brown drake was on the same leaf. Nice time to be there!
Troutnut on Feb 28, 2012February 28th, 2012, 8:47 am EST
Cool pictures!
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Entoman on Feb 28, 2012February 28th, 2012, 9:24 am EST
Wow, I agree with Jason. I don't think I've ever seen an image of a drake so dark. Excepting a few cells in the wings, it looks like a black & white photo... Mostly black.:)
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Troutnut on Feb 28, 2012February 28th, 2012, 9:34 am EST
The white balance on a camera can do funny things when you're shooting against a colored background like that green foam.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Entoman on Feb 28, 2012February 28th, 2012, 9:44 am EST
Ah!
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Oldredbarn on Feb 28, 2012February 28th, 2012, 10:02 am EST
The white balance on a camera can do funny things when you're shooting against a colored background like that green foam.
Jason...Or when, due to a "little gray" ;) in the beard, it completely washes out and I end up looking like Santa Claus...:)
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Crepuscular on Feb 28, 2012February 28th, 2012, 10:55 am EST
Well except for the blue on the thorax, the color is right on. if you notice the brown drake is normal color.
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