Stoneflies

Plecoptera

Stoneflies are special insects that live near clean, cool water. They have long bodies and delicate wings, and they help keep streams healthy by breaking down leaves.

Hábitat: Wetlands

Aspecto

The Stoneflies has a flattened body, often dull in color (brown, grey, or black), with two long antennae and two prominent tail-like cerci. Their four membranous wings fold flat over their back, often extending past their abdomen.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenPlecopteraFamiliaPerlidae

Stoneflies

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Datos interesantes

Even though most stoneflies have wings, some species are surprisingly unable to fly at all!

Some stonefly nymphs can live underwater for up to four years before finally changing into an adult!

Stonefly nymphs are a favorite snack for hungry fish, like trout, making them key food in rivers!

They are an ancient insect group, having fluttered around on Earth since before the dinosaurs roamed!

Habilidades especiales

Stoneflies can only thrive in clean, unpolluted water that helps them act as natural indicators of water quality.

Stoneflies can breathe underwater using feathery gills on their nymphs that helps them absorb oxygen from cold, fast-flowing streams.

Stoneflies have flattened bodies as nymphs that helps them cling tightly to rocks and hide from predators in fast currents.

Some adult Stoneflies do not feed because they have vestigial mouthparts that helps them focus all energy on mating.

Medidas y detalles

Envergadura: 10-60 mm
Tamaño: 5-80 mm
Esperanza de vida: 5-30 días
Velocidad de vuelo: 1-5 km/h
Cantidad de patas: 6

Dieta y alimentación

Nymphs munch on algae and decaying plants, but many adult stoneflies don't eat anything!

Diferencias por edad: Nymphs feed on various organic matter, but many adult stoneflies have undeveloped mouthparts and do not feed, focusing on reproduction.

Alimentos principales

Algae
Diatoms
Decaying leaves
Small aquatic insects
Bacteria

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

eats

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

A primary food source for these fish, especially during their nymph stage.

eats

White-throated Dipper

Cinclus cinclus

These aquatic birds dive to catch stonefly nymphs and adults from riverbeds.

eats

Common Diatom

Diatoma vulgaris

Many stonefly nymphs graze on diatoms found on submerged rocks and plants.

eats

Common Frog

Rana temporaria

Adult stoneflies can become food for frogs dwelling near water.

depends on

Eurasian Otter

Lutra lutra

Otters rely on healthy fish populations, which in turn depend on abundant stoneflies.

Rasgos

Solitario

Los animales solitarios viven solos durante la mayor parte de su vida y solo interactúan con otros para aparearse o cuidar de sus crías.

Herbívoro

Este rasgo caracteriza a los organismos cuya dieta consiste total o principalmente en material vegetal.

Descomponedor

Describe a los organismos que descomponen la materia orgánica muerta, reciclando los nutrientes de vuelta al ecosistema.

Humedal

Este rasgo de hábitat identifica especies que se encuentran en humedales, que son áreas de tierra saturadas de agua, ya sea permanente o estacionalmente, e incluyen marismas, pantanos y ciénagas.