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Giant Stonefly

Posted by December 22nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm

Categories

Stoneflies and Snowflies

Odd Spokane Resident
Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Odd Spokane Resident
While tilling a flower bed this last summer (May/June), my wife found this bug under a top covering of pine needles. I have never seen anything like this.
It has a beautiful black with orange outlines. Its wings are huge!
Spencer Morley
Spokane, WA, USA

stonefly spencer 300x175 Giant Stonefly

Giant Stonefly

Hi Spencer,
This is a Giant Stonefly in the family Pteronarcyidae.  According to information posted to BugGuide, we believe this is probably a California Salmonfly, Pteronarcys californica .  BugGuide indicates:  “The California Salmonfly ( Pteronarcys californica ) is common in western United States and southwestern Canada; it is an important food of trout and salmon, and a favorite bait of anglers.”   These aquatic insects are often attracted to lights.

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