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The
Diversity of The World of Life
True
Insects (Insecta)
Stoneflies
(Plecoptera)
Representatives
Stoneflies,
or Browns
Biology
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF KNOWN SPECIES WORLDWIDE
Over
1500
DESCRIPTION
Stoneflies are small to large, soft-bodied, slender, and
flat from top-to-bottom. The
antennae are long and threadlike.
The mouthparts are chewing.
There are usually two pairs
of wings, with many, strong cross veins. The hindwing almost always has a very broad base, folded fanwise
under the remainder of the wings, held flat over the abdomen, at rest.
There are often two long tails.
METAMORPHOSIS
The "naiads" (aquatic nymphs), slender and flat from top-to-bottom, have long, thin antennae; gills at the base
of their legs; "wing pads" (small, developing wings); and two long tails.
HABITATS
The adults are usually found on stones, on trees, under
bridges, and around lights near the water in which the eggs are laid and
the naiads develop. Adults that are produced in autumn and winter
usually fly during the day and
feed, but adults that are produced in summer usually fly at night and
do not feed.
FOODS
The naiads feed on aquatic plants or very small animals,
and those adults that do feed consume such things as blue-green
algae.
DAMAGES/BENEFITS
Stonefly adults and naiads are valuable food for such
freshwater animals as lake fish.
True
Insects (Insecta)
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