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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This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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Leskorcala has attached these 5 pictures to aid in identification. The message is below.
Leskorcala
Posts: 16
Posts: 16
Leskorcala on Aug 24, 2020August 24th, 2020, 3:46 pm EDT
hello, In late July and first week of august I spotted many 2 winged mayflies spinners on the walls of my house (I live about 20 yards from the edge of Bitterroot river, MT ) All of the spinner adults had 2 tails
I have narrowed down by size, tail numbers,emergence to family Heptageniidea , Genus Empeours I believe its E. albertae species. The Slate cream dun
Hope someone can conform this for me. I am in process doing year long project identify all teh major hatches on my home river, hope to get it done next year.
I have narrowed down by size, tail numbers,emergence to family Heptageniidea , Genus Empeours I believe its E. albertae species. The Slate cream dun
Hope someone can conform this for me. I am in process doing year long project identify all teh major hatches on my home river, hope to get it done next year.
Martinlf on Aug 26, 2020August 26th, 2020, 12:49 pm EDT
When Roger sees this he'll probably give you an ID.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Taxon on Aug 26, 2020August 26th, 2020, 4:25 pm EDT
Well Louis, would if I could, but frankly, I'm thoroughly stumped.
Martinlf on Aug 27, 2020August 27th, 2020, 4:34 pm EDT
:O
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Troutnut on Sep 3, 2020September 3rd, 2020, 6:35 pm EDT
Hi Les,
Very nice pictures!
I think this probably is Epeorus. From the fourth picture, it looks like the first two tarsal segments are approximately the same length, which usually points to that genus.
I don't think the species is albertae, unless I have misidentified the specimens labeled as albertae on this site, including this one most recently. The coloration of the abdomen is very different, and I seem to recall the spots on the femora are a key feature of albertae as well.
Unfortunately I'm not sure what species it is, as I don't have my ID resources with me at the moment on a trip.
Very nice pictures!
I think this probably is Epeorus. From the fourth picture, it looks like the first two tarsal segments are approximately the same length, which usually points to that genus.
I don't think the species is albertae, unless I have misidentified the specimens labeled as albertae on this site, including this one most recently. The coloration of the abdomen is very different, and I seem to recall the spots on the femora are a key feature of albertae as well.
Unfortunately I'm not sure what species it is, as I don't have my ID resources with me at the moment on a trip.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Leskorcala
Posts: 16
Posts: 16
Leskorcala on Sep 10, 2020September 10th, 2020, 5:08 pm EDT
Thanks Jason for your feedback. this is very popular hatch on my home water , lot of anglers would call them PMD but the 2 tail is easy giveaway
sorry in my original post I said 2 winged mayfly ( I was referring to 2 tail mayfly ) anyway , I can see now looking at some references images where spots on femora are absent on this mayfly.
sorry in my original post I said 2 winged mayfly ( I was referring to 2 tail mayfly ) anyway , I can see now looking at some references images where spots on femora are absent on this mayfly.
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