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Mayfly Family Ephemeridae (Hexes and Big Drakes)

Taxonomic Navigation -?-
» Family Ephemeridae (Hexes and Big Drakes)
Genus in EphemeridaeNumber of SpecimensNumber of Pictures
Ephemera21134
Hexagenia31158
Litobrancha00
Common Name
MatchCommon Name
****Hexes and Big Drakes
Pictures Below ↓
Several great superhatches come from this family. The Green, Yellow, and Brown Drakes all belong to the Ephemera genus. Hexagenia and Litobrancha contain the largest mayflies in North America and present tremendous fly fishing opportunities.

Nymph Biology


Nymphs of this family are nocturnal and their pale bodies sensitive to the sunlight. They build U-shaped burrows less than six inches into the stream bottom, where they feed on microorganisms in the fertile sediment. They come out of these burrows to molt up to 30 times throughout their development.

It common in this family for nymphs to live 2-3 years before emerging. This is very unusual among the mayflies.

Pictures of 52 Mayfly Specimens in the Family Ephemeridae:

Specimen Page:1234...6
Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly NymphHexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Nymph View 9 Pictures
Collected June 8, 2005 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 26, 2006
Female Ephemera guttulata (Green Drake) Mayfly DunFemale Ephemera guttulata (Green Drake) Mayfly Dun View 16 PicturesIt's about time I got a green drake on this site!
Collected June 1, 2007 from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on June 4, 2007
Male Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly SpinnerMale Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Spinner View 13 Pictures
Collected June 26, 2005 from Atkins Lake in Wisconsin
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 26, 2006
Specimen Page:1234...6

6 Streamside Pictures of Ephemeridae Mayflies:

Streamside Photo Page:12
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Some Hexagenia limbata duns and several smaller mayflies litter the surface of this river during a Hex emergence. In this picture: Mayfly Species Hexagenia limbata (Hex). From the Namekagon River in Wisconsin.
Some Hexagenia limbata duns and several smaller mayflies litter the surface of this river during a Hex emergence.

In this picture: Mayfly Species Hexagenia limbata (Hex).
StateWisconsin
LocationNamekagon River
Date TakenJun 18, 2005
Date AddedJan 25, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraOlympus C740UZ
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I didn't manage to collect a nymph, but here's the hollow shuck left over from an emerged dun, showing the basic pattern of the nymph. In this picture: Mayfly Species Ephemera guttulata (Green Drake). From the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York.
I didn't manage to collect a nymph, but here's the hollow shuck (
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Here's an underwater view of the pupal shucks of several already-emerged Brachycentrus numerosus caddisflies.
Here's an underwater view of the pupal shucks of several already-emerged Brachycentrus numerosus caddisflies.
Shuck: The shed exoskeleton left over when an insect molts into its next stage or instar. Most often it describes the last nymphal or pupal skin exited during emergence into a winged adult.) left over from an emerged dun, showing the basic pattern of the nymph.

In this picture: Mayfly Species Ephemera guttulata (Green Drake).
StateNew York
LocationWest Branch of the Delaware River
Date TakenJun 1, 2007
Date AddedJun 4, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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A huge swarm of Hexagenia limbata spinners gathers over the riffle. In this picture: Mayfly Species Hexagenia limbata (Hex). From the Namekagon River in Wisconsin.
A huge swarm of Hexagenia limbata spinners gathers over the riffle.

In this picture: Mayfly Species Hexagenia limbata (Hex).
StateWisconsin
LocationNamekagon River
Date TakenJun 18, 2005
Date AddedJan 25, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraOlympus C740UZ
Streamside Photo Page:12

3 Underwater Pictures of Ephemeridae Mayflies:

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A crayfish chews on a Hexagenia limbata nymph shortly after a small Hex emergence. I didn't catch any fish, but playing around with my flashlight and camera in the rocks proved productive. In this picture: Arthropod Order Decapoda (Crayfish) and Mayfly Species Hexagenia limbata (Hex). From the Namekagon River in Wisconsin.
A crayfish chews on a Hexagenia limbata nymph shortly after a small Hex emergence. I didn't catch any fish, but playing around with my flashlight and camera in the rocks proved productive.

In this picture: Arthropod Order Decapoda (Crayfish) and Mayfly Species Hexagenia limbata (Hex).
StateWisconsin
LocationNamekagon River
Date TakenJun 14, 2006
Date AddedJun 30, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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I lifted a rock in pursuit of a stonefly nymph that had scurried beneath it, and instead I found this Ephemera simulans burrowing mayfly nymph waiting to be photographed. In this picture: Mayfly Species Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake). From the Namekagon River in Wisconsin.
I lifted a rock in pursuit of a stonefly nymph that had scurried beneath it, and instead I found this Ephemera simulans burrowing mayfly nymph waiting to be photographed.

In this picture: Mayfly Species Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake).
StateWisconsin
LocationNamekagon River
Date TakenApr 16, 2004
Date AddedJan 25, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraOlympus C740UZ
Shown Full Size
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In this picture: Mayfly Species Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake). From the Namekagon River in Wisconsin.


In this picture: Mayfly Species Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake).
StateWisconsin
LocationNamekagon River
Date TakenApr 16, 2004
Date AddedJan 25, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraOlympus C740UZ

Recent Discussions of Ephemeridae

Brown Drake? 20 Replies »
Posted by Derdmann on Jun 19, 2011 in the species Ephemera simulans
Last reply on Jun 29, 2011 by TNEAL
Came across a mayfly on the Paint River by Crystal Falls, Michigan on June 17th. Is it a brown drake?
Thanks.
ReplyHexagenia orlando 4 Replies »
Posted by Curtis on Feb 29, 2008 in the genus Hexagenia
Last reply on Mar 1, 2011 by Jmd123
Does anyone have any hatch dates for hexagenia orlando in the Central Florida area? Several lakes near me have populations and I am gathering data. I have photos and one hatch record.
ReplyMayfly larvae -wigglers preservation as bait 15 Replies »
Posted by Teacherprea on Jun 2, 2007 in the species Hexagenia limbata
Last reply on Feb 25, 2011 by Bubba50
I am a fly fisherman but not a "purist". A friend of mine has a place on the UP of Michigan. He just called me and said a guy told him there is a way to preserve "wigglers." They use them alot up north, those that are not fly fishermen or ladies. They are fishing perch, bluegill and crappie. He heard there is a way to "blanch" them.Drop them in hot water for a few minutes and they turn rubbery. They then will keep indefinitely. Has anyone heard of this? If so, how close to correct is the procedure I mentioned??
Thanks for anyone's help.
ReplyLitobrancha in Minnesota 6 Replies »
Posted by Dryfly on Aug 29, 2009 in the genus Litobrancha
Last reply on Sep 7, 2010 by Amandak695
Sorry no photo
While out fishing I came across a big drake spinner. I think it might be Litobrancha Recurvata. 2 tails 17 mm body length, front pair of legs darker than back two, olive abdomen, darker thorax. Collected August 28th, which is relatively late for Litobrancha. Also could be Hexagenia Rigida or Atrocaudata.

Anyone know if Litobrancha or the Late Hexs are present in Southeast Mn?
ReplyWhat is the big DEAL about the HEX? 20 Replies »
Posted by Spinner on Jun 21, 2006 in the species Hexagenia limbata
Last reply on Nov 15, 2009 by RedQuill27
fishing in the dark.......
stepping in holes?

I hate the dark........

I don't need the hex........

Len
Reply
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