Family Perlodidae - Perlodid Stoneflies

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Remarks · Works Cited

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Plecoptera (Stoneflies)

Superfamily Perloidea

Family Perlodidae (Perlodid Stoneflies)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

includes Isoperlinae

Numbers

2 subfamilies with ~130 spp. in 30 genera in our area(1) [114 in the lower 48 states(2)] and >300 spp. in 53 genera worldwide(3)

Size

adults usually 10-15 mm (up to 25 mm)

Identification

adults of Isoperla species commonly have yellowish or greenish bodies as well as greenish wings; species in other genera are brown or black; pronotum rectangular with corners narrowly rounded; anal lobe of hindwing well developed and with 5 or more veins reaching the wing margin behind vein 1A; adult males of most genera except Arcynopteryx have a lobe on the seventh sternite

nymphs have hind wing pads that protrude at an angle from the body's axis, and the body is pigmented in a distinct pattern; cerci longer than length of abdomen; paraglossae extend beyond the glossae; thoracic gills - if present - either single or double but not profusely branched

Range

holarctic + Oriental; throughout NA(3), although species diversity is greater in mountainous areas of n. US and so. Canada; many spp. have restricted ranges

Habitat

nymphs live in a wide variety of flowing water habitats, from small streams to large rivers

adults are often found resting or crawling on foliage near water where nymphs developed

Season

spring or spring and summer, depending on genera/species

Food

nymphs prey on small aquatic invertebrates

some adults feed on pollen

Remarks

adults of Isoperla are diurnal

Works Cited

1.	Stark B.P., Baumann R.W., DeWalt R.E. (2009) Valid stonefly names for North America

2.	Kondratieff B.C., Baumann R.W. (2000-2014) Stoneflies of the United States

3.	DeWalt R.E., Maehr M.D., Neu-Becker U., Stueber G. (2013) Plecoptera species file online. Version 5.0

Contributed by Stephen_WV on 17 June, 2005 - 7:30am
Additional contributions by john and jane balaban, Robin McLeod, v belov
Last updated 8 November, 2011 - 8:44pm

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