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Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olives) Mayfly Nymph Pictures



 This male nymph is probably in its final instar (Instar: Many invertebrates molt through dozens of progressively larger and better-developed stages as they grow. Each of these stages is known as an instar. Hard-bodied nymphs typically molt through more instars than soft-bodied larvae.). The wing pads (
The wing pads on this final instar Baetidae mayfly nymph are extremely dark.
The wing pads on this final instar Baetidae mayfly nymph are extremely dark.
Wing pad: A protrusion from the thorax of an insect nymph which holds the developing wings. Black wing pads usually indicate that the nymph is nearly ready to emerge into an adult.
)
are extremely black and the large turbinate (
This male Baetidae dun has slightly turbinate eyes.
This male Baetidae dun has slightly turbinate eyes.
Turbinate: Shaped like a top or elevated on a stalk; usually refers to the eyes of some adult male Baetidae mayflies which are wider near the tip than at the base.
)
eyes are very apparent inside the nymph's head.


This mayfly was collected from the Bois Brule River on June 9th, 2005 and added to Troutnut.com on May 26th, 2006.

Recent Discussions of this Nymph

Nymph Color Comment 8 Replies »
Posted by DarkDun on Jan 30, 2007
Last reply on Jul 18, 2009 by Shawnny3
I see the grayish tint as more of a Salmon tint. I would tie up some variations and test them. I tie all my nymphs with a variegated coloration rather than a blend. This works on most flies and I try to match the tones to the segment(band)of the natural as you sugested. I have had much success with this approach.
ReplyBaetid nymph color 1 Reply »
Posted by Martinlf on Dec 23, 2006
Last reply on Dec 26, 2006 by GONZO
OK, this olive nymph seems to have a good bit of grey in it. I know colors vary a lot among baetids, but I'm wondering about a good general color for shucks. And nymphs. Are most of them more olive than this? Or is it too hard to generalize? Also, I notice darker and lighter segments in the abdomen. I've noted this in subvaria's and try to get a lighter band just ahead of the darker tail segment in nymphs I tie for them. Perhaps this is a good idea with baetid nymphs as well.
Reply

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