Family Perlidae - Common Stoneflies

Golden Stoneflies

Golden Stones

Stones

82 species in 16 genera in North America (nearctica.com)

about 400 species worldwide

adult length 9-40 mm

Adult: variably yellowish to brownish (but not green); anal area of forewing lacks rows of cross veins; ventral surface of thorax with remnants of branched nymphal gills, usually immediately behind bases of legs

Nymph: yellowish to brown with prominent dark pattern on dorsal surface of head and thorax; thoracic segments wider than long, and legs thick, giving a stout-bodied robust appearance; ventral thoracic gills profusely branched; paraglossae extend beyond glossae

"A close-up view of the tip of the abdomen is often the best way to determine genus (and perhaps species). A dorsal view of the terminalia is probably best for males, and a ventral view of the last few abdominal segments is best for females." --Lloyd Gonzales

most of North America

widely distributed in northern hemisphere; a few genera are also found in Africa and South America

nymphs are often found under large stones in streams and rivers

adults present from spring through summer (April to September)

nymphs emerge in spring

nymphs prey mainly on small aquatic invertebrates such as larvae of chironomids, mayflies, and caddisflies; detritus and algae are also eaten

adults do not feed

The first spread-winged image on this page [collected on 14 June] appears to be a misidentified Giant Stonefly (Pteronarcyidae), showing the characteristic two or more rows of cross veins in anal area of forewing. The second spread image [collected on 20 August] is a Common Stonefly (Perlidae), which lacks cross veins in anal area of forewing.

Perlidae is the largest family of Plecoptera worldwide, but only the third-largest family in number of species in North America (after Capniidae and Perlodidae).

Adult Giant Stoneflies (Pteronarcyidae) have two or more cross veins in anal area of forewing, and nymphs have gills on first two abdominal segments as well as thoracic gills.

Nymphs of Green Stoneflies (Chloroperlidae) and Perlodid Stoneflies (Perlodidae) have thoracic gills that are single or double but not profusely branched.

live adult image of undetermined Perlidae species (Alex Wild, California)

preserved adult image of Phasganophora capitata plus common name reference [Common Stoneflies] and other info (Virtual Exhibit on Canada's Biodiversity)

live adult image and common name reference [Golden Stoneflies] (Thomas Ames, New Hampshire)

adult image and other info (R. Bercha, Insects of Alberta)

detailed description and anatomical drawings; PDF doc of adult Acroneuria evoluta (Robert Clark, Ohio State U.)

nymph images showing dorsal and ventral views (U. of New Brunswick)

live nymph images showing branched thoracic gills in dorsal and ventral views (Jason Neuswanger, New York)

nymph image (U. of Georgia)

live nymph comparison images showing differences between Perlidae and other families (Lackawanna River Corridor Association, Pennsylvania)

live nymph images of Hesperoperla species, and common name reference [Golden Stones] (D. Mason, U. of Oregon)

live adult and nymph images of a Costa Rican Anacroneuria species by C. Riley Nelson, plus classification, distribution, references (Tree of Life, U. of Arizona)

list of species in Michigan (Ethan Bright, U. of Michigan)

common name reference [Stones] and common names of numerous species (Isaac Hagenbuch, Pennsylvania State U.)

distribution maps and common names of more than 70 species of Perlidae (Stoneflies of United States; USGS)

common names of stonefly families (Discover Life, U. of Georgia)