1. Troutnut Forum
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2. Specimen Discussion
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3. cannot determine species

I cannot determine most species in this genus without clearing the parts and looking closely. Sorry.

Thanks Dave, I understand.

However, if you don't mind I'd like to ask another question. The four caddisflies, whose wings are lined up for purpose of comparison in the below photos visited my garage door on the indicated dates. I believe them to be of genus Psychoglypha. Do you agree?

yup - they all appear to be Psychoglypha - it is a little hard to see the venation for a couple of them.

Thanks, Dave. The first two images were taken with my old Nikon Coolpix 5400 camera on macro setting. And, the last two images were taken with a USB digital camera through the trinocular port of my new stereo zoom microscope.

Would you suspect the 1st two images may be of a different Psychoglypha species than the last two images, or would it common to see that degree of difference between the wing markings of a single species?

interesting time on your post. 4:51 already? I thought we were in the same time zone now.

Anyway - I cannot say if they are the same species without having them in hand. I suspect the differences are more likely due to a combination of camera and light variability along with specimen variability. How old the adult is is always a factor, as well as how long it was preserved/dead and where it was stored (temp/light/etc).

As I have often indicated, caddis species (and usually genus)cannot be reliably determined by color. I am sorry but habitus pics/views of caddis do not provide enough information to make species determinations. If it could be done systematists would have done it years ago. Even taxonomists take the easy way when it is available :-)

What scope/camera did ya get? I like the wide FOV and always looking for improvements. PM if ya want.

Hi Dave-

We are in the same time zone. However, Jason's server is probably set to EDT, as the time stamp shown on your reply was 6:51 PM, and was first noticed at 4:40 PM PDT.

Would like to send you the two most recently collected specimens to examine in the interest of your being able to determine their species. If you are willing to do that, please PM me with your mailing address, and you preference regarding shipping (dry or ethanol-preserved specimens).

With regard to my new microscope, it's an AmScope Model SM-1T with optional accessories of an MU300 Digital Camera, and an 80 LED Light Ring. Certainly not a high end instrument, but it was affordable, and seems to work well for my purposes.

Nice photos, Roger!

You're right that the site's server is set to EDT.