Note on Mortality of the Emerging Stonefly<i>Pteronarcys californica</i>on the Jocko River, Montana, USA

Rockwell, Isaac P.; Newell, Robert L.

doi:10.3398/064.069.0218

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Salmonfly larvae have not been detected since 2012 at any annual monitoring sites located below Ennis Reservoir (Daniel McGuire, personal communication, April 2016). Salmonflies may persist in portions of the Madison River below Ennis Reservoir at low densities, but they likely no longer fill their functional roles in affecting organic matter processing (Lecerf & Richardson, ) or being prey for fish and terrestrial predators (Rockwell & Newell, ) to the extent that they likely did when they comprised a larger part of the benthic community.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Salmonflies spend between 2 and 5 years in their aquatic larval stage depending on the thermal regime of the river they inhabit (DeWalt & Stewart, ; Freilich, ; Townsend & Pritchard, ). In early summer, they emerge in massive, synchronized hatches that draw anglers from around the world and provide a significant nutrient pulse to both aquatic and terrestrial consumers including birds, fish, spiders, and ants (Rockwell & Newell, ). Mounting anecdotal evidence suggests that salmonfly populations could be declining throughout the American West (Nehring, Heinhold, & Pomeranz, ), including in the Madison River (Stagliano, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Water temperature drives variability in salmonfly abundance, emergence timing, and body size

Anderson

Albertson

Walters

2019

River Research & Apps

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Freshwater organisms are disproportionately impacted by climate change and human disturbance, resulting in shifts in species' distributions and life histories. We coupled contemporary and historical datasets documenting physical and ecological variables over four decades to quantify changes in the abundance, emergence timing, and body size of salmonflies (Pteronarcys californica) in the Madison River in southwest Montana. In contemporary surveys, water temperature was the main driver of salmonfly abundance, emergence timing, and body size. Salmonfly densities were negatively correlated with summer water temperature, which explained 60% of variation in larval density among sites, whereas substrate type played a negligible role. Emergence occurred 20 days earlier, and male and female exuvia length were 13.8% and 11.3% shorter, respectively, at the warmest site relative to the coolest site (4°C difference). These patterns were supported by historical data. For example, a 1.2°C increase in mean annual water temperature in the Madison River between 1977 and 2017 coincided with evidence for upstream range contraction. Between 1973 and 2017, emergence timing varied widely among years, occurring up to 41 days earlier in years when spring water temperatures were relatively warm. As climate change progresses,we predict that salmonflies could be extirpated from an additional 28 km of currently occupied habitat, representing a 22.6% reduction in suitable habitat along the Madison River. This study provides evidence of long-term biological change of an aquatic insect and highlights the importance of combining spatial and historical datasets to better understand species' responses to environmental stressors across both space and time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water temperature drives variability in salmonfly abundance, emergence timing, and body size

Anderson

Albertson

Walters

2019

River Research & Apps

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“…The two most important stonefly hatches on this river are the salmonfly hatch and the golden stone hatch (Rock Creek Outfitters website). The salmonfly hatch usually occurs during the middle of runoff, which usually runs from late May to late June, although earlier emergences of the salmonfly have been reported (Rockwell and Newell 2009). This river has become the salmonfly mecca for Missoula anglers and thus receives substantial fishing pressure during this hatch period.…”

Section: Rock Creek (Clark Fork Basin)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of salmonflies in Montana's rivers : are statewide populations really declining? /

2010

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The fabled salmonfly hatch on Montana's rivers can be an exciting and frustrating angling experience all rolled into one; exciting because huge trout can be coaxed to the surface by giant dry flies (size 4 or 6's) and frustrating because, oftentimes, this sporadic hatch coincides with spring runoff , murky water and less than ideal fishing conditions. To add to the exasperation, a thousand like-minded fishermen from all parts of Montana and adjacent states are invading your favorite stretch of river. Successfully "hitting" the salmonfly hatch is both an art and a science; mixed with a lot of luck. Arrive too early and the fish are still focused on underwater nymphs; too late and the trout have stuffed themselves silly, already seen a thousand artificial stoneflies float overhead and are now extra selective when deciding to eat one more "floating steak", as I've heard these insects referred. Last season's tremendous salmonfly hatch on the Big Hole River surprised a lot of anglers in its extent and duration. "Many of our customers experienced their best success fishing the hatch in decades." said Roger Oettli of Great Divide Outfitters. Before this past spring's great hatch on the Big Hole, anecdotal and perhaps some scientific evidence exists that have lead many fishermen and fishing guides to declare that the salmonfly hatches occurring recently: "Are not what they used to be"and "in decline". Mark Canfield, a former fishing guide on the Smith and Missouri Rivers, as well as having a background in aquatic biology, reported to Background: Montana's rivers provide habitat for three salmonfly species: the famous, giant salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica), the lesser known American salmonfly (Pteronarcys dorsata) and the smaller, least salmonfly (Pteronarcella badia) which can tolerate warmer water temperatures than the other two species. Ideal water temperature for P. californica development is 55.4-58º F, while P. badia is a presumably a few degrees warmer. These salmonfly species occur in many rivers across the state and cooccur in some (Figures 1 & 2, Appendix A & B), but only in a few rivers are they abundant enough to present anglers a worthwhile hatch. All three species have conservation ranks of G5 (NatureServe 2010), which means they are globally common and are yet to be ranked at the state level. Gaufin et al. (1972) cite the Missouri River in Cascade Co. as Montana's only distribution of the American salmonfly, but more recent studies report this species present in the lower Smith River as well (Bollman 2000). Salmonflies are easy to identify mostly by their tremendous size; these stoneflies (Order Plecoptera: Family Pteronarcyidae) often measure nearly three inches in length. As adults, they have a bright orange or red band behind the head and the underside of abdomen with broad wings containing dark veins. Salmonfly nymphs live on the bottom, crawling around on cobbles and feeding on large organic materials (leaves) in the spaces between rocks for three to sometimes four years. They require welloxygenate...

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“…Pteronarcys californica (i.e., the "giant salmonfly") is a large-bodied insect that is ecologically and culturally significant to rivers throughout the western United States. Their large body size makes them an important prey item for aquatic consumers, including trout, and their highly synchronous emergence provides an important seasonal food resource for terrestrial consumers, including birds and spiders (Rockwell & Newell, 2009;Walters et al, 2018). Additionally, recreational fishing during salmonfly emergence is an economic boost for local communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary composition and fatty acid content of giant salmonflies (Pteronarcys californica) in two Rocky Mountain rivers

et al. 2022

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Note on Mortality of the Emerging StoneflyPteronarcys californicaon the Jocko River, Montana, USA

Cited by 7 publications

References 4 publications

Water temperature drives variability in salmonfly abundance, emergence timing, and body size

Water temperature drives variability in salmonfly abundance, emergence timing, and body size

Evaluation of salmonflies in Montana's rivers : are statewide populations really declining? /

Dietary composition and fatty acid content of giant salmonflies (Pteronarcys californica) in two Rocky Mountain rivers

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