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Stoneflies
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Sensitive Benthos
Moderately Tolerant Benthos
Pollution Tolerant Benthos
Stoneflies
Metamorphosis:
Incomplete (see our life cycle page for more information)
Nymphs:
possess two distinct "tails" called cerci, which are actually sensory feelers; brightly colored in tan, brown, gold, and black; length varies, up to 1 inch.
Reproduction:
females deposit eggs on top of water where they drift down to the bottom.
Adults:
resemble nymphs, but possess a long air of wings folded down the length of the body.
Food:
some stoneflies are carnivorous, others feed on algae, bacteria, and vegetable debris; eaten by a variety of fish species.
Scientific Name:
Class: Insecta
Order: Plecoptera
Indicator Role:
Stonefly mandibles
Indicates ample supply of oxygen, important food for coldwater fish such
as trout. One of the EPT
taxa 
used to indicate cleaner waters. Mostly found in the swift flow of stream
riffles.
Information Source:
McDonald, B., W. Borden, J. Lathrop.1990. Citizen Stream Monitoring: A Manual for Illinois. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, ILENR/RE-WR-90/18. Springfield, Illinois.
View our draft taxonomic key for
distinguishing Capniidae from Leuctridae (4pp,
1.1MBAbout PDF)
and please check out S. Mandaville's Plecoptera
site
from the Soil & Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax.
Other Links:
Nymph Hesperoperla Stonefly
- Representatives of Stonefly Families (Plecoptera) - New York Department of Environmental Conservation
- Stoneflies - Aquatic Insect Verification Program - University of Minnesota
- Identification to the Stoneflies of Michigan - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
- USGS Stoneflies of the United States
- USGS Stoneflies of Michigan
- USGS Distribution of Stoneflies in the United States
- The McKenzie Page - stoneflies
- Stoneflies
in Freshwater
Benthic Ecology and Aquatic Entomology Homepage
– S.M. Mandaville from the Soil & Water Conservation Society of MetroHalifax - Gordon Ramel's Plecoptera Page
- Stoneflies in Aquatic Invertebrates of Montana (Montana State University)
- Entomology: A Guide to the Freshwater Food Sources of British Columbia's Game Fish - stoneflies
- Missouri Botanical Gardens aquatic critters - stoneflies
- Dr. Bill Stark's Stonefly Web site
- Tree of Life - Plecoptera