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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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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Millcreek on Oct 23, 2015October 23rd, 2015, 5:16 pm EDT
These two Rhyacophila species were collected from Mill Creek, a tributary of the Russian River. The first is probably a member of the Rhyacophila hyalinata group and the second is probably a member of the Rhyacophila betteni group.
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
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Taxon on Oct 23, 2015October 23rd, 2015, 9:21 pm EDT
Very interesting and instructive photos, Mark. Thanks for sharing.
Millcreek on Oct 24, 2015October 24th, 2015, 6:53 am EDT
Glad you enjoyed them, Roger.
Mark
Mark
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
-Albert Einstein
-Albert Einstein