Troutnut.com Fly Fishing for Trout Home
User Password
or register.
Scientific name search:

> > Little White Mayfly



Post Reply
LastchanceJune 27th, 2009, 5:58 am
Portage, PA

Posts: 437		There is a Little White May Fly Hatch (size 28) on the Little Juniata River in Pennsylvania. Question: What time of day does this happen and how do you identify them? Do they look like tiny pieces of white fuzz? I read on the site here that they occur during the trico hatch. I've seen these things floating through the air and they always remind me a white fuzz. Is that them?
TaxonJune 27th, 2009, 7:53 am
Site Editor
Royse City, TX

Posts: 1350		Hi Bruce-

Your description sounds like a Woolly Aphid.
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com
GONZOJune 27th, 2009, 8:04 am
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681		Hi Bruce,

The Little J mayflies you mention are caenids (probably Caenis). They usually emerge in the evening in slow water, typically in areas with some combination of silt and weeds. The molt to the spinner stage occurs shortly after emergence.

They are distinctive little mayflies and easy to identify to family. Sometimes called "Broadwings" in Europe, they have broad whitish wings with a dark leading edge and few crossveins. They are also dipterous (no hindwings) and have three tails. The abdomen is usually whitish with a darker (brownish) thorax. Unlike most mayflies, they have the habit of resting with the wings outspread (spent) rather than upright.

The morning Tricos and the large evening White Flies (Ephoron) are usually much more important trout feeding opportunities at that time of the season, but carrying a few caenid imitations might be useful on occasion. From an imitation standpoint, I would recommend a synthetic Comparadun-style wing for both duns and spinners. Although the tails are longer in the spinner stage (especially the males), one pattern can suffice for both, and the Comparadun wing is easier to see than spent or semi-spent wings.

PS--Your "white fuzz" description made me think of pale midges, but I think Roger's suggestion is more likely.
TroutnutJune 27th, 2009, 12:02 pm
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2737		Taxon, thanks for that aphid link! I saw one of those a few years ago and was completely baffled by it. I hadn't found another one since, so I didn't get the chance to mess with it once I learned my bugs.

If they're really mayflies, Gonzo's probably right, but if you're sure about the little white fuzzball and not so sure about the mayfly part, I bet it's Taxon's bug.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
LastchanceJune 28th, 2009, 4:51 pm
Portage, PA

Posts: 437		Caenis. I forgot about "The Angler's Curse."

Woolly Aphid. I never ceased to be amazed by you guys on this site. For years I've seen that Woolly Aphid and never had a clue.

Thanks,
Bruce
SlateDrake9August 1st, 2009, 2:15 pm
Potter County, PA

Posts: 144		woolly aphid huh? I had a major "hatch" of these things in my back yard for a few weeks last summer. I though they were insects with some sort of fungus growing on them. Learn something new every day.
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
-- Slate Drake
TaxonAugust 1st, 2009, 3:58 pm
Site Editor
Royse City, TX

Posts: 1350
I though they were insects with some sort of fungus growing on them.


B.J.-

As I recall, it's actually secreted wax.
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

Quick Reply

You have to be logged in to post on the forum. It's this easy:
Username:          Email:

Password:    Confirm Password:

I am at least 13 years old and agree to the rules.

Related Discussions

TitleRepliesLast Reply
Re: Identify
In General Discussion by Lastchance		1Jun 17, 2012
by Taxon
Re: Spinner Mayfly
In General Discussion by Jesse		2May 13, 2012
by Konchu
Re: Wow
In Female Baetisca laurentina Mayfly Dun by Taxon		1Jun 26, 2006
by Troutnut
Re: White Mayfly ---- Euphron leukon?
In the Identify This! Board by JumpNotZero		1Sep 9, 2008
by GONZO
Re: Differences I'm dying to know about
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Reify		2Jul 9, 2018
by Martinlf
Re: Help. White, Fuzzy bug
In General Discussion by Lastchance		7Aug 9, 2012
by Sayfu
Re: Isonychia parachute
In the Insect Order Ephemeroptera by Deligon		1Sep 9, 2008
by GONZO
Re: Help with identity
In General Discussion by Lastchance		7Aug 21, 2009
by Oldredbarn
Re: Ephemerella dorothea nymphs
In General Discussion by Wbranch		10Jul 5, 2008
by Wbranch
Re: NW
In the Identify This! Board by Maverick		9Jun 12, 2007
by DMM