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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Vacation Gets A Bit Buggy!

Last week my family and I headed for the Marblehead area of Ohio (sits right on Lake Erie) for a little rest and relaxation. The muckleheads (what locals call a large chironomid that swarms in June) were out in full force and quite the nuisance!

However, after we were there for a couple of days, that magical moment happened and the bugs I always love to see decided to show themselves. It was the return of the largest species of Mayflies found in the USA.....The Hexagenia limbata.

Many people will mistake the male duns as a seperate family or genus as there are distinct differences. However, after careful study, you will find that despite the size difference and color differences, these are the same family, genus, and species....just male and female.

Hexagenia limbata male dun

Two Hexagenia limbata female dun's

A Female Hex Emerges from Dun Shuck and
Becomes a Sexually Mature Spinner

My Son Displays a Collection of the Best
Species of Mayflies in the USA!

As much as I would like to have more time and one more lens for shooting high quality bugs shots, I just don't. I do however have a good friend in John Miller, one of our staff guides who does. His shots are mind blowing for those who can appreciate bugs.

Below is just one of his shots that I have on file. Although the photo has my watermark on it for protection purposes, John Miller took this photo. I simply display it here for you to enjoy. My pictures work, his photos impress.

Check out the Detail on this Bug!

Well, that is all for now. Soon we will be into summer and the bugs we love to see every spring and early summer will give way to the ants and hoppers of summer.

Until next time, tight lines and good shooting.....

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson
Owner/Operator
Flybum Media Productions

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