Troutnut Forum

>

Get Bugs Identified

> Great Speckled Olive or Gray Drake

MItroutbum	June 19th, 2008, 3:41 pm
Posts: 3	What can I look for to distinguish between the 2 above mentioned flies?? I was out fishing yesterday evening and captured what I thought was a gray drake spinner, but after searching through some photos it could very easily be a Great Speckled Olive. I actually posted a photo on my fishing blog (not a great shot at all, but maybe you guys could help me out...... http://troutonthefly.blogspot.com/ Thanks Rich
GONZO	June 19th, 2008, 4:31 pm
Site Editor "Bear Swamp," PA Posts: 1636	Rich, The photo on your website looks like Siphlonurus to me. One fairly easy way to verify this would be to use a hand lens to look at the leading edge of the forewing toward the tip. Siphloplecton will have a jumble of intersecting cross-veins (anastomosis). In addition, Siphloplecton basale is usually an April/May emerger.
Wiflyfisher	June 20th, 2008, 4:25 am
Wisconsin Posts: 397	The photo labeled "Gray Drake Spinner" looks like a March Brown (M. vicarium) spinner to me and the timing would be right too. It looks like you had a great UP trip!
	John S. http://www.WiFlyFisher.com http://flypatternsfortrout.com/
Freepow	June 20th, 2008, 7:40 am
menomonie, WI Posts: 83	Great blog! I really like the format and the style it has. I too agree that the pic looks like a March Brown to me. I posted this pic... http://www.troutnut.com/topic/1450#9507 ...which was quickly determined to be March Brown and it looks very similar to your mayfly. I've bookmarked your blog...keep up the good stories.
	"I fish...because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip..."
GONZO	June 20th, 2008, 9:45 am
Site Editor "Bear Swamp," PA Posts: 1636	Rich, I just realized that I could enlarge the image on your website by clicking on the picture. In the enlarged image, these traits of (some) Siphlonurus become more distinct: The banding of the eye, which was not obvious in the smaller image, can be seen. (Live specimens usually show this more clearly.) The "zigzag" pattern of banding on the tergites is more apparent (especially on the last few segments). The cross-veins along the leading edge of the forewing are pale or nearly transparent. (This is not a consistent trait of all Siphlonurus, but on M. vicarium, they are dark.) Veinlets connecting CuA to the rear margin of the forewing can be seen. BTW, regarding your original question, I probably should have mentioned that S. basale also shows dark staining toward the wingtips (in the same area where anastomosis would appear) and on the basal third of the hindwings. Jason has a good photo of a basale spinner that shows this staining and anastomosis.
Wiflyfisher	June 20th, 2008, 2:35 pm
Wisconsin Posts: 397	Gonzo, doesn't Siphlonurus spinners have a white band around the base of the eyes? Everyone I have ever collected over the years in NW WI. had the white ring around the base of each eye.
	John S. http://www.WiFlyFisher.com http://flypatternsfortrout.com/
GONZO	June 20th, 2008, 3:02 pm
Site Editor "Bear Swamp," PA Posts: 1636	Yes, John, that light band is usually quite prominent on the males. However, the band can be seen on the enlargement. I suspect that the band might be less distinct because the spinner appears to be dead, or perhaps it is just the lighting in the photo.

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Title	Replies	Last Reply
subnotatus? In Male Ameletus oregonensis Mayfly Spinner by GONZO	0
Re: Hate to do this again.... In Acroneuria abnormis Stonefly Nymph by PeterO	5	Oct 1, 2010 by GONZO
Re: 2 tails or 3 In the Mayfly Species Maccaffertium vicarium by Snagy	1	Feb 6, 2010 by Taxon
Re: What is a "DST" quill? In Fly Tying by Flags	7	Sep 8, 2011 by Allan
Re: 2011 Painting In General Discussion by Softhackle	2	Apr 13, 2011 by Shawnny3
Re: Mayfly Identification In the Identify This! Board by Calloway	9	Mar 13, 2009 by Martinlf
Re: Near French Creek, PA In the Identify This! Board by Lyrae	5	May 13, 2007 by GONZO
Re: One more In the Identify This! Board by Taju	7	Nov 18, 2008 by Taju
Re: Thoughts In Male Eurylophella Mayfly Spinner by Taxon	3	Oct 17, 2008 by Trtklr
Another vitreus In Female Maccaffertium Mayfly Dun by GONZO	0

Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2012 Jason Neuswanger (email Jason). See my FAQ for information about use of my images. privacy policy