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Mayfly Genus Hexagenia

Taxonomic Navigation -?-
» Genus Hexagenia
Species in HexageniaNumber of SpecimensNumber of Pictures
Hexagenia atrocaudataLate Hex329
Hexagenia limbataHex28129
Hexagenia rigidaGreat Olive-Winged Drake00

4 species aren't included.
Pictures Below ↓
These are huge mayflies. Hexagenia limbata, by far the most important species, is the second largest mayfly in the United States. The largest is its close relative, Litobrancha recurvata, which until recently was also in the genus Hexagenia.

Two minor species, Hexagenia atrocaudata and Hexagenia rigida, may be noticed later in the season than limbata.

Read each species page for emergence and other details.

Pictures of 31 Mayfly Specimens in the Genus Hexagenia:

Specimen Page:1234
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
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
Male Hexagenia atrocaudata (Late Hex) Mayfly SpinnerMale Hexagenia atrocaudata (Late Hex) Mayfly Spinner View 12 Pictures
Collected July 24, 2005 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 15, 2006
Specimen Page:1234

3 Streamside Pictures of Hexagenia Mayflies:

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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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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
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Giant Hexagenia limbata spinners leave ghostly trails around the glow of a full moon. In this picture: Mayfly Species Hexagenia limbata (Hex). From the Namekagon River in Wisconsin.
Giant Hexagenia limbata spinners leave ghostly trails around the glow of a full moon.

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

1 Underwater Picture of Hexagenia 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

Recent Discussions of Hexagenia

Hexagenia orlando 4 Replies »
Posted by Curtis on Feb 29, 2008
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.
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
ReplyHex nymph behavior 9 Replies »
Posted by Millerpa on Jun 18, 2006 in the species Hexagenia limbata
Last reply on Dec 5, 2008 by Beardius
I have read in many places that the Hex nymph is a mud dweller. What does this mean? Does this mean they immediately change from egg to nymph and then burrow into the mud until emergence or do they simply burrow in the mud to find food and spend some time in the open water between meals? I have heard comments from fisherman that indicate they know the hatch has been happening when they see small holes in the muddy banks of the river. This is abit confusing to me. Could someone please clarify.
ReplyAn odd observation of Hexagenia 2 Replies »
Posted by Troutnut on Mar 20, 2007
Last reply on Mar 20, 2007 by Taxon
I'm reading up on mayfly rearing in preparation for this season, including Needham's 1935 classic "The Biology of Mayflies." (Very rare and somewhat outdated, but the most comprehensive book ever written about mayflies by far.) I found this quote strangely casual:

The eggs of Hexagenia may be obdatined from a subimago by placing her on the surface of a beaker of water and snipping off her head. She will pour them all out immediately from both oviducts -- in the case of H. occulta some 5000 of them (Needham 1908, p. 260).


I've got to wonder who first thought to try that.
Reply
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