Stone Fly

Plecoptera stoneflies are also orthopteroid, but their front and hindwings are of a similar texture unlike orthopterans , and their immature stages are specialized for an aquatic life. Nymph , in entomology, sexually immature form usually similar to the adult and found in such insects as grasshoppers and cockroaches, which have incomplete, or hemimetabolic, metamorphosis see metamorphosis.

Wings, if present, develop from external wing buds after the first few molts. The body proportions of the first nymphal stages are…. More About Stonefly 2 references found in Britannica articles Assorted References comparison to orthopterans In orthopteran: Critical appraisal evolution In insect: Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered.

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Thank You for Your Contribution! There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Iowa State University Department of Entomology. In early stages called instars , stoneflies tend to be herbivores or detritivores, feeding on plant material such as algae, leaves, and other fresh or decaying vegetation. As they enter later instars, the nymphs of many species shift to being omnivores or carnivores.

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Some species become predators, swallowing their prey whole or biting off and swallowing parts of their prey. They use long filamentous antennae to track down prey.

Generally, these predatory Stonefly nymphs feed on other aquatic invertebrates. The nymphs of many species are 'opportunistic feeders', meaning that they feed on what is around, while others may select for specific prey species or sizes. Carnivorous nymphs have specific adaptations of the mouth for grasping and stabbing prey, while herbivorous nymphs have mouthparts more appropriate for scraping and grinding. As adults, very few stonefly species feed due to their short life span and concentartion on mating.

Those that do feed on algae and lichens, nectar, or pollen. HABITAT As nymphs, stoneflies live in aquatic habitats, mainly in cool, clean, flowing waters with relatively high oxygen concentrations.

They prefer streams with a significant current, on rocky, stony, or gravel substrate, although there are some species that live in sandy areas. They may also be found in cold ponds and lakes in the north and at higher latitudes. Nymphs live along the bottom of aquatic habitats benthic dwelling. Eggs After mating, the female deposits large masses of eggs.

To lay the eggs, the female flies over the water and may dip her abdomen in the water, releasing the eggs, or may drop the eggs directly into the water from the air. The female may also submerge herself into the water and deposit the eggs on the bottom of the stream. Upon its completion, the nymph is now an adult.

The adult stage tends to only last for a few days up to a few weeks, depending on the species. Those that live only a short time never eat. Instead, they focus upon mating. Those that live longer will feed upon pollen, plants and growths on tree bark.

Stoneflies tend to mate in swarms. They are often found at this point swarming some sort of vegetation near the river or stream. This can be any plants or trees found nearby. Sometimes they will mate on the ground. Males will attract their mates by beating their bodies on the vegetation or ground.

Some species of stonefly will mate repeatedly, creating multiple offspring. The stonefly female will now have a sac of eggs. She returns to the water's edge and drops her egg sac under the water. Some species will mate repeatedly, creating multiple egg sacs to be dropped underwater. The process begins again.