Tallaperla maria

(Needham & Smith, 1916)

common roachfly

Tallaperla maria, commonly known as the common roachfly, is a in the . It is found in North America, with records from Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, and Kentucky. The species has been studied at the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia, where research examined its abundance, , and production alongside the related Peltoperla arcuata.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tallaperla maria: //ˌtæ.ləˈpɜːr.lə ˈmær.i.ə//

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Habitat

Forested headwater streams; most abundant in watersheds exceeding 200 hectares. Restricted to sites with base-flow alkalinity greater than 2 mg L⁻¹ CaCO₃ and becomes the peltoperlid at sites with alkalinity exceeding 15 mg L⁻¹ CaCO₃.

Distribution

North America: recorded from Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

Seasonality

occurs during May through July.

Life Cycle

Semi-voltine with an 18-month naiadal period following a 6-month . Approximately 14 .

Ecological Role

Production rates vary by watershed; highest recorded production (271 mg m⁻² y⁻¹) occurred in a 257 ha watershed partially underlain by limestone. Average production across streams is 91 mg m⁻² y⁻¹.

Similar Taxa

Peltoperla arcuataCo-occurs in same streams; distinguished by preference—P. arcuata is most abundant in smaller watersheds (<100 ha) and present across all alkalinity levels, while T. maria requires larger watersheds and higher alkalinity. P. arcuata has approximately 15 versus 14 in T. maria.