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.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

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.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderPlecopteraFamilyPerlidae

Stoneflies

Interesting facts

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!

Special abilities

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.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 10-60 mm
Size: 5-80 mm
Lifespan: 5-30 days
Flight Speed: 1-5 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

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

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

Primary Foods

Algae
Diatoms
Decaying leaves
Small aquatic insects
Bacteria

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

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.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Decomposer

Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.