Order Plecoptera
COMMON NAME - STONEFLIES
The stoneflies are from 1/2 to 2 inches long and have four wings. The hind pair folds like a fan and is usually much larger than the front pair. Stoneflies have chewing mouth parts, but many of the adults do not feed. Metamorphosis is incomplete, the life stages being the egg, naiad, and adult. The Plecoptera have long antennae and a pair of long appendages at the tip of the abdomen (the cerci). The growing stage (naiad) lives under stones in rapidly running streams. The adults are usually found resting on plants, trees, or stones near streams.
Examples
Family Perlidae - Common Stoneflies
Acroneuria mela Frison - Stonefly
Size: 1 1/8 to 1/3/8 inch (27-36mm) long
Habitat: naiads live in water, and feed upon vegetable matter and other insects. Adults can be collected at lights.
For additional information on Stoneflies, check out the following:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/sfly/sflyusa.htm
