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Family Pteronarcyidae - Giant Stoneflies

Pteronarcyidae: Pteronarcys proteus - Pteronarcys proteus Insect - Pteronarcys californica Stonefly - Pteronarcys Emerging Adult Stonefly - Pteronarcys Pteronarcys biloba stonefly larva - Pteronarcys Giant Stonefly - Pteronarcys P badia adult - Pteronarcella badia
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Plecoptera (Stoneflies)
Superfamily Pteronarcyoidea
Family Pteronarcyidae (Giant Stoneflies)
Other Common Names
Salmonflies
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
=Pteronarcidae
Numbers
2 genera, with 10 spp. in our area(1) and 12 spp. total(2)
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
NA + most of Asia(2)
Habitat
most nymphs develop in medium to large rivers; adults are nocturnal and often come to lights
Season
adults appear in spring and early summer
Food
nymphs feed on aquatic plants, adults do not feed
See Also
some spp. of Acroneuria (Perlidae) are large (to 40 mm) and look similar but lack rows of cross veins in anal area of forewing; nymphs of Perlidae have thoracic gills but not abdominal gills