Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Pteronarcidae
Explanation of Names
Named after Pteronarcys, the type genus. The variation in spelling comes from whether one interprets the y as part of the ending (which is removed in order to add the family ending), or part of the word itself.
Numbers
10 species in 2 genera in North America (
nearctica.com)
Size
adult body length 25-60 mm
Identification
Adult: dark brown, gray, or blackish; anal area of forewing with two or more rows of cross veins (a diagnostic feature)
Nymph: branched gills on ventral side of thorax and first two abdominal segments (the abdominal gills are often visible from above)
Range
much of North America
also represented in eastern Asia but not Europe
Habitat
most nymphs develop in medium to large rivers
adults are nocturnal and often attracted to light
Season
adults appear in spring and early summer
Food
nymphs feed on aquatic plants
adults do not feed
Remarks
The California Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) is common in western United States and southwestern Canada; it is an important food of trout and salmon, and a favorite bait of anglers.
See Also
some adult
Common Stoneflies (Perlidae) in the genus
Acroneuria are large (to 40 mm) and similar-looking but lack rows of cross veins in anal area of forewing; nymphs of Perlidae have thoracic gills but not abdominal gills
Internet References
live adult image of
Pteronarcys species (Alex Wild, California)
live adult and nymph images of
Pteronarcys californica and
Pteronarcella badia by C. Riley Nelson, plus common name reference [Giant Stoneflies], classification, references (Tree of Life, U. of Arizona)
live adult image of
Pteronarcys species by Terry Thormin, plus information on stoneflies in general (Royal Alberta Museum)
live nymph image of undetermined Pteronarcyidae, showing gills on first two abdominal segments (Neil Gillies, Cacapon Institute, West Virginia)
adult image of undetermined Asian species (Weon Ho Lee, South Korea)
live adult image of
Pteronarcys species (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)
US distribution maps and common names for all ten North American species (Stoneflies of United States, USGS)
common name reference [Salmonflies] (Isaac Hagenbuch, Pennsylvania State U.)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 18 February, 2006 - 7:57am
Additional contributions by
Chuck EntzLast updated 9 April, 2009 - 3:10am
