Alright you armchair entymologists...

[quivira kid]

Alright all, I took this picture of a little friend that came to visit me while I was fishing for some white bass at the local lake.



Pic was taken in south central Kansas just a couple days ago. What is it? I just called it a little black caddis and went about my business after taking pictures...

[nighthawk]

looks like a small black stone fly to me but i could be wrong.

[quivira kid]

Here's an underneath shot...

[PRM]

QK,
I'm thinkin' definitely a caddis...Looks small, like maybe a sz 16 body length? If so, & judging by the time of year I'd say it's a Brachycentrus Occidentalis, aka Little Black Caddis/Mother's Day Caddis. YMMV.

BTW - Great Pics!!!

[Longs for Cutts]

The abdomen looks more like a stonefly. Are the wings held flat atop the back or in a tent shape? If the former, it's a little winter stone. If the latter, it's a caddis.

[Chuck441]

Wings come out of the sides. Caddis.

Chuck

[LadyFisher]

Trav says a Alderfly. Not caddis. Google Alderfly and you will find a nice picture of your bug. [Trav]

[quivira kid]

Thanks, all! Guess I was headed down the right path... One of my goals this year is to keep my camera on me instead of at home. Get more bug, fish, and scenery pictures! Maybe contribute with a write-up or two.

PRM - I would say about a 16, yep.

Longs for Cutts - the wings were tent-shaped, not flat.

[Steven]

Alderfly
Tent Wings, no tails = Alderfly or Caddis.
Big Thorax = Alderfly

[Bluegill222]

Whatever they are, they are out all over the place around here this time of year and I've found a black elk hair caddis does just fine as far as the fish are concerned.

Preston-- Of course "Entymology" is a word. It's the study of words used to describe bugs