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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.

Dorsal view of a Glossosoma (Glossosomatidae) (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
I caught this tiny larva without a case, but it seems to key pretty clearly to to Glossosomatidae. From there, the lack of sclerites on the mesonotum points to either Glossosoma or Anagapetus. Although it's difficult to see in a 2D image from the microscope, it's pretty clear in the live 3D view that the pronotum is only excised about 1/3 of its length to accommodate the forecoxa, not 2/3, which points to Glossosoma at Couplet 5 of the Key to Genera of Glossosomatidae Larvae.
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.
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Pdcox has attached this picture to aid in identification. The message is below.
Unknown Bug
Pdcox
Kansas city

Posts: 12
Pdcox on Apr 15, 2020April 15th, 2020, 5:11 am EDT
Well this guy about blew my mind. No idea mayflies were in man made lakes. This bug was about 3/4 inch body length. Found yesterday, James Reed Park, cloudy, windy, 48 degrees. I have enhanced the green of the eyeballs a bit in Photoshop so they stand out, but could definitely see the color au natural.
Any help appreciated
Taxon
Taxon's profile picture
Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311
Taxon on Apr 15, 2020April 15th, 2020, 9:10 am EDT
Hi Paul-

I believe this female subimago to be Stenonema femoratum.
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com
Pdcox
Kansas city

Posts: 12
Pdcox on Apr 15, 2020April 15th, 2020, 9:28 am EDT
Thank you sir
Pdcox
Kansas city

Posts: 12
Pdcox on Apr 16, 2020April 16th, 2020, 2:25 am EDT
Also, what clued you in to this being female?
Taxon
Taxon's profile picture
Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311
Taxon on Apr 16, 2020April 16th, 2020, 5:24 am EDT
The clues to it being a female were the absence of male claspers sticking out beyond the abdomen, in combination with the smaller compound eyes characteristic of a female.
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

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