thanks for your comment. How certain are you that it's a nemourid? Can you tell me some identifying characteristics? Can you also fill out your bio page, to let users know what your level of expertise is? Thanks!

Well...let's just say I'm as certain as I know how to be. Many photos of adult stoneflies just don't show the things that allow for a high degree of certitude. Wing venation can be very hard to see, especially in critical areas like the anal region of the forewing, and fine details of things like the tarsal segments or extreme close-ups of the tip of the abdomen are usually not available. (As you probably know, this last is often the only fairly definitive way to ID some insects.)

Lacking this information, even the most qualified experts are often left to fall back on general impressions based on many years of looking at these critters. These impressions are formed by things that won't be found in most dichotomous keys. So, I'll try to describe how I "eyeball" these small stoneflies.

Nemourids are probably most easily confused with taeniopterygids, and to a lesser extent, leuctrids. All of these can roll their wings to greater or lesser degrees. Leuctrids roll their wings most tightly, leading to to a slim tapering look. Usually, they are also fairly plain in coloration. Both nemourids and taeniopterygids have several common species with some degree of contrasting color or banding on the wings and legs. This often appears to be sharper or more distinct on some nemourids. In addition, the wings of nemourids appear to be a bit broader in the rear half, while the wings of taeniopterygids have a straighter look. Often, the heads of nemourids look broader (wider) than the heads of taeniopterygids, which seem closer to the width of the pronotum.

That's about the best I can do to briefly describe the suggestive differences I notice. None of this "eyeballing" is scientifically definitive--it can't be when the critical information is lacking. This is just educated guessing. All I can hope is that someone will challenge an ID when I get it wrong.

I'll try to work on the bio that you (and others) have requested, though a bit reluctantly. Believe it or not, I'm web-shy. (Some things about the internet still scare the heck out of me, but this seems like a nice, friendly place.)

Best,
Lloyd

I'm not good with stoneflies, and I had no idea that the tip of the abdomen would be helpful. I'll try to remember that the next time I see one. As for the bio, you can always keep it very general and simple. Don't include your email, give general statements about your area of expertise without giving specific locations?