Fish-food
Guides
Hexagenia atrocaudata
Lake Hex
Hexagenia atrocaudata is a burrowing mayfly species in the family Ephemeridae, known from North American lakes and rivers. As a member of the common burrower mayflies, it spends the vast majority of its life as an aquatic nymph in bottom sediments, emerging as a short-lived winged adult for reproduction. Adults lack functional mouthparts and do not feed. Mass synchronous emergences can occur, producing swarms that attract fish and anglers alike. The species serves as an important indicator of clean freshwater ecosystems and provides substantial food resources for aquatic and terrestrial predators.
Rhithrogena
March Browns, Olive Uprights
Rhithrogena is a genus of flatheaded mayflies in the family Heptageniidae, commonly known as March Browns or Olive Uprights. The genus contains approximately 153 species distributed across the Holarctic region. Larvae are primarily scrapers that feed on periphyton from stones in running waters. Several species serve as important food sources for fish and have been studied for their bioindicator potential in freshwater monitoring.