Troutnut Forum > Fly Hatch Talk > Fishfly is not a hellgramite
This topic is about the Hellgrammite Genus Nigronia
This seems to be the most common trout stream dobsonfly genus.
There are 3 more specimens...
The Discussion
| Ofieldstrea | June 24th, 2007, 12:52 pm | |
| midwest Posts: 1 | Troutnut ... the term "hellgramite" is reserved for the Dobsonfly (Corydalinae). Though the Fishfly (Chauliodinae) and the dobsonfly are from the same Megaloptera family, at first glance appear similar, and have similar stages of development, they are from different subfamily with differing subspecies and have very different morphology and biology. The dobsonfly inhabit the more oxygenated waters of riffles and possess only tuffed gills for respiration. The fishfly inhabit the quiter waters of pools and still water. Fishflies have a primative gills called lateral filaments, while some species of fishfly utilize breathing tubes, located posterior, to accomodate the use of atmospheric oxygen for breathing in low dissolved oxygen envirions while remaining submerged. So .. it is incorrect to use the term 'hellgramite' when talking about the fishfly larvae. They are simply, 'fishfly larvae'. You really should change your reference. ---- Reference ----- McCafferty, W. Patrick, 1981. Aquatic Entomology; Chpt. 11, Fishflies, Dobsonflies and Alderflies (order Megaloptera), p. 189-196 -------------------------- O'fieldstream | |
| J. Leslie Booth O'fieldstream Outdoor Journal ofieldstream@gmail.com www.ofieldstream.com | ||
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| Troutnut | June 24th, 2007, 2:57 pm | |
| Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1115 | It's a tough call and I'm open to suggestions. I know that when just about any angler picks up a fishfly larva, he'll call it a hellgrammite. So the common name of hellgrammite is widely used (or misused) to describe fishfly larvae. I've tried to keep the common names on this site compliant with general usage rather than technical accuracy, because the latter is a lost cause with most common names, anyway. I'd like to see what other members think about this. I would be willing to change it if many others really cringe to see fishfly larvae called hellgrammites. Otherwise, I may just make a note about the distinction on the 'hellgrammite' common name page. | |
| Jason Neuswanger The Troutnut | ||
| Taxon | June 24th, 2007, 4:35 pm | |
| Mercer Island, WA Posts: 485 | Jason- JLB is correct. Given that you arguably have the leading entomology site on the net, perhaps you should entertain leading the masses away from the abyss, rather that simply accommodating their use of faulty terminology. LOL. | |
| Roger Rohrbeck www.FlyfishingEntomology.com | ||
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