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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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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Millcreek on Jul 18, 2016July 18th, 2016, 7:31 pm EDT
This is a diving beetle larvae of the Dytiscidae family. I don't know the genus or species. Got it in an area of slackwater in the Russian River. Collected on April 1, 2016. The length is approximately 25 mm.
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
-Albert Einstein
-Albert Einstein
Martinlf on Jul 18, 2016July 18th, 2016, 7:56 pm EDT
Cool critter. Love your photos! Thanks for posting.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Millcreek on Jul 19, 2016July 19th, 2016, 8:34 am EDT
Louis - Thanks. Also, I think I've got the genus figured out. It's probably an Agabus.
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
-Albert Einstein
-Albert Einstein