Cultus

As a genus of perlodid stoneflies, Cultus species share characteristics of the family including two ocelli, relatively simple wing venation, and cerci with fewer than 20 segments. Distinctive features separating Cultus from related genera within Diploperlini require examination of genitalic structures and detailed morphological analysis.

Records indicate presence in lotic freshwater habitats of western North America, including streams and rivers in mountainous regions.

Documented from Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, and Oregon. The genus appears restricted to western North America.

As stonefly larvae (nymphs), species in this genus function as aquatic invertebrates in freshwater food webs, serving as prey for fish and other predators and contributing to nutrient cycling in stream ecosystems.

Stoneflies including Cultus species are used as bioindicators of water quality due to their sensitivity to pollution and habitat degradation.

• DiploperlaBoth belong to tribe Diploperlini; separation requires detailed examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters
• HelopicusAnother western North American perlodine genus; distinguished by differences in epiproct and paraproct structures

• stonefly
• aquatic insect
• western North America
• Perlodidae
• bioindicator

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life