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The Specimen

Hydropsyche aenigma (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly AdultHydropsyche aenigma (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult View 18 PicturesThese big caddisflies were tempting trout as they wriggled out of their shucks (
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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.), while others skated across the water at a medium pace, probably egg-laying.
Collected May 15, 2007 from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York
Added to Troutnut.com by on May 18, 2007

The Discussion

Post Reply
TroutnutMay 18th, 2007, 5:43 pm
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2737		I'm really just guessing. I'm too busy too key it out right now but I'd really like to know what it is. This was one of the main species the fish were taking (along with Apple Caddis) on the West Branch of the Delaware the other day.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
TaxonMay 18th, 2007, 8:22 pm
Site Editor
Royse City, TX

Posts: 1350		Sure looks like Hydropsyche to me. There are ~13 species in NY, and I don't have access to species keys. However, I suppose H. betteni can be eliminated as a possibility, as your specimen would be too short for that species.
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com
GONZOMay 20th, 2007, 12:49 pm
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681		If I'm reading the wing venation correctly in photo #16, this looks like Ceratopsyche.
CrenoDecember 22nd, 2007, 3:10 pm
Grants Pass, OR

Posts: 305		Folks - Ceratopsyche - Symphitopsyche - Hydropsyche - just another problem for the splitters. Right now there seem to be two schools and both are represented in the previous postings.

While the photos are some of the best I have seen of the details necessary to make a determination, I cannot quite make out the single final character needed to be sure (the lateral spur on that most intimate of the male parts). But based on what I can see, and the great photo of the goldish spots on the wings I would suggest Hydropsyche (Ceratopsyche) aenigma.

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