# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Stoneflies](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eusthenia_sp.jpg&width=800) Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eusthenia_sp.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Plecoptera - **Family:** Perlidae ## 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 - **Clean Water Sensor:** Stoneflies can only thrive in clean, unpolluted water that helps them act as natural indicators of water quality. - **Underwater Breathing:** Stoneflies can breathe underwater using feathery gills on their nymphs that helps them absorb oxygen from cold, fast-flowing streams. - **Flat Hideaways:** Stoneflies have flattened bodies as nymphs that helps them cling tightly to rocks and hide from predators in fast currents. - **Survival Fast:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) — A primary food source for these fish, especially during their nymph stage. - **Eats:** [White-throated Dipper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-otter) (*Lutra lutra*) — Otters rely on healthy fish populations, which in turn depend on abundant stoneflies. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always be careful near water and ask an adult before exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Stoneflies? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Stoneflies's wingspan? 10-60 mm ### How big is Stoneflies? 5-80 mm ### How long does Stoneflies live? 5-30 days ### How fast can Stoneflies fly? 1-5 km/h ### What does Stoneflies eat? Nymphs munch on algae and decaying plants, but many adult stoneflies don't eat anything! ### Where is Stoneflies usually found? Wetlands ### How does Stoneflies hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [E.C. Manning Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-c-manning-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ordesa-y-monte-perdido-national-park) — Aragon, ES · National Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Stoneflies: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stoneflies)