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> > An odd observation of Hexagenia



This topic is about the Mayfly Genus Hexagenia

These are huge mayflies. Hexagenia limbata, by far the most important species, is the second largest mayfly in the United States. The largest is its close relative, Litobrancha recurvata, which until recently was also in the genus Hexagenia.

Two minor species, Hexagenia atrocaudata and Hexagenia rigida, may be noticed later in the season than limbata.

Read each species page for emergence and other details.

Female Hexagenia atrocaudata (Late Hex) Mayfly Dun Female Hexagenia atrocaudata (Late Hex) Mayfly Dun (14 Pictures)
Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Nymph Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Nymph (9 Pictures)
Male Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Spinner Male Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Spinner (13 Pictures)

There are 28 more specimens...

The Discussion

Post Reply
TroutnutMarch 20th, 2007, 6:18 pm
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2737		I'm reading up on mayfly rearing in preparation for this season, including Needham's 1935 classic "The Biology of Mayflies." (Very rare and somewhat outdated, but the most comprehensive book ever written about mayflies by far.) I found this quote strangely casual:

The eggs of Hexagenia may be obdatined from a subimago by placing her on the surface of a beaker of water and snipping off her head. She will pour them all out immediately from both oviducts -- in the case of H. occulta some 5000 of them (Needham 1908, p. 260).


I've got to wonder who first thought to try that.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
GONZOMarch 20th, 2007, 6:53 pm
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681		If it weren't for the date, I'd guess Wes Craven! :(
No, wait...the Queen of Hearts!
TaxonMarch 20th, 2007, 9:56 pm
Site Editor
Royse City, TX

Posts: 1350		Jason-

When animal dies, there is loss of muscle control, which would result in release of anything being internally retained through that device, presumably including Hexagenia eggs.
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

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