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.
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Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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Chris_3g
Posts: 59
Posts: 59
Chris_3g on Jul 25, 2007July 25th, 2007, 4:35 pm EDT
Hey guys. I don't often pull my camera our of its zip-lock bag for much aside from fish and scenery, but this was just weird. I have never seen such a gathering of little centipede-looking critters, and I wouldn't even post them here except that all of this was happening so close to the water that there are probably a few extra happy fish swimming around this evening. Of course, I'm interested because it's likely I'm going to head back to this stream in the near future and wouldn't mind knowing what extra bits of food the fish might be feeding on in the evenings. Anyway, thought you guys might be interested and / or could tell me what the heck was going on. Thanks!
Chris.
Chris.
Konchu on Jul 25, 2007July 25th, 2007, 5:24 pm EDT
I have noticed these critters near and in water here in Indiana, too. If they're the same thing I've seen, they're a kind of millipede. Funny thing is, I've not noticed them in other years (and I regularly go out of my way to find stuff like this).
Not sure that fish, or *trout* (there is a distinction), would find them tasty. I know that some millipedes put off a disgusting scent that predators find revolting. At least I find it revolting when I step on one barefoot. Maybe someone else out there knows more (e.g., Gonzo or Taxon; of course they may not know more, but at least they'll give you a wrong answer with confidence--a nod to comments from a recent Drunella thread).
Disclaimer: I'm not really an entomologist, I just play one on troutnut.com. ;)
Not sure that fish, or *trout* (there is a distinction), would find them tasty. I know that some millipedes put off a disgusting scent that predators find revolting. At least I find it revolting when I step on one barefoot. Maybe someone else out there knows more (e.g., Gonzo or Taxon; of course they may not know more, but at least they'll give you a wrong answer with confidence--a nod to comments from a recent Drunella thread).
Disclaimer: I'm not really an entomologist, I just play one on troutnut.com. ;)
GONZO on Jul 25, 2007July 25th, 2007, 5:53 pm EDT
...but at least they'll give you a wrong answer with confidence....
Hah! Darn right! (Or would that be darn wrong?) That reminds me of Shawn quoting the Strunk and White comments that if you don't know how to pronounce a word, at least say it loud; that way you won't compound ignorance with inaudibility! :)
Hey, Chris, don't pay any attention to Konchu's disclaimer. There may be times when he wishes he weren't an entomologist, but trust me, he is.
Wiflyfisher on Jul 25, 2007July 25th, 2007, 7:46 pm EDT
That is probably Narceus americanus. (But who knows, tomorrow it may be a subspecies of something else.)
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narceus_americanus
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narceus_americanus
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
Taxon on Jul 25, 2007July 25th, 2007, 9:00 pm EDT
Maybe someone else out there knows more (e.g., Gonzo or Taxon; of course they may not know more, but at least they'll give you a wrong answer with confidence
Oxidus gracilis !!!
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