Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

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.

For how many years, I wonder, have these huge slabs of rock sheltered wild brook trout?

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York

Stream photos

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Clostoeca disjuncta (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva Clostoeca disjuncta (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva

Lateral view of a Clostoeca disjuncta (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This one was surprisingly straightforward to identify. The lack of a sclerite at the base of the lateral hump narrows the field quite a bit, and the other options followed fairly obvious characteristics to Clostoeca, which only has one species, Clostoeca disjuncta.

11 Recently Added Photos

27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.

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.

Hydropsychidae (?)

Cheumatopsyche (Little Sister Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa

10 Pictures

Lateral view of a Cheumatopsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Little Sister Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from Cayuta Creek in New York

This is the first fully formed caddis pupa (technically, a pharate adult) that I've collected and photographed alive and healthy. I'll put a video of this specimen online soon, too.

Collected April 13, 2007 from Cayuta Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on April 22, 2007

Collected April 13, 2007 from Cayuta Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on April 22, 2007

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Apr 23, 2007April 23rd, 2007, 11:11 am EDT

This looks like a hydropsychid to me, but I'd be happy to have comments from the experts.

Earlfishman
Posts: 17

Earlfishman on Apr 23, 2007April 23rd, 2007, 2:56 pm EDT

With abdominal gills like that, and the hook plates on ab. 3-5 it sure looks like a Hydropsychidae to me as well.

Litobrancha
Knoxville TN

Posts: 51

Litobrancha on Apr 24, 2007April 24th, 2007, 1:42 am EDT

probably cheumatopsyche... in hydropsyche/ceratopsyche the hooks at the posterior end of the abdomen are longer on the outside (distal), this one looks longer medially a la cheumatopsyche.

jason did you get this critter to emerge from the pupal shuck?

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Apr 24, 2007April 24th, 2007, 4:47 am EDT

Earl--thanks for the confirmation.

Lito--I suspected that this might be Cheumatopsyche, but I had no key. Thanks for the information about one of the distinguishing characters. Size, emergence timing, and wing/body colors were the things that made me lean toward Cheumatopsyche.

Troutnut