Perlidae
Guides
Acroneuria
common stoneflies
Acroneuria is a genus of large-bodied stoneflies in the family Perlidae, containing more than 30 described species distributed across North America and Asia. Nymphs are predatory and inhabit streams and rivers, where they serve as important bioindicators of water quality. Adults are known for distinctive emergence behaviors, including arboreal emergence in some species. Several species in the genus are experiencing range contractions and population declines due to habitat degradation and climate change.
Acroneuria abnormis
Common Stone
Acroneuria abnormis, commonly known as the common stone, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlidae. It is widely distributed across North America. The species is notable for its drumming behavior during mating, which produces species-specific vibrational signals used for identification and mate recognition.
Acroneuria carolinensis
Carolina Stone
Acroneuria carolinensis, commonly known as the Carolina stone, is a predatory stonefly in the family Perlidae. It has a univoltine life cycle with emergence from late May through mid-July. Nymphs undergo an ontogenetic habitat shift, moving from leaf packs in slow water as small instars to cobble substrates in riffles as they grow larger. Adults are short-lived, do not feed, and are attracted to lights. The species functions as a top invertebrate predator in stream ecosystems.
Acroneuria evoluta
Constricted Stone
Acroneuria evoluta, commonly known as the constricted stone, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlidae. The species was described by Klapálek in 1909. It is distributed across parts of the eastern and central United States.
Acroneuriinae
Acroneuriinae is a subfamily of stoneflies within the family Perlidae, comprising approximately 32 genera and 520 described species. Members are aquatic insects whose larvae inhabit freshwater environments. The subfamily has been the subject of recent mitogenomic research, including the first documented gene rearrangements in the order Plecoptera.
Agnetina annulipes
southern stone
Agnetina annulipes, commonly known as the southern stone, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlidae. It is one of the larger stonefly species in eastern North America. The species was originally described as Perla annulipes by Hagen in 1861 before being transferred to the genus Agnetina. It is primarily found in the southeastern United States.
Agnetina capitata
Northern Stone
Agnetina capitata, commonly known as the northern stone, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlidae. It occurs in North America, with records from eastern Canada and multiple U.S. states including Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, and Illinois. As a member of the order Plecoptera, it is associated with aquatic habitats during its immature stages. The species was originally described as Perla capitata by Pictet in 1841.
Agnetina flavescens
Midwestern Stone
Agnetina flavescens, commonly known as the midwestern stone, is a stonefly species in the family Perlidae. It is native to North America and has been documented in several midwestern and southeastern US states. As a member of the common stoneflies, it inhabits freshwater systems where its aquatic nymphs develop. The species was originally described as Perla flavescens by Walsh in 1862 before being transferred to the genus Agnetina.
Attaneuria
Enigmatic Stone
Attaneuria is a monotypic genus of stoneflies in the family Perlidae, containing only the species Attaneuria ruralis. The genus was established by Ricker in 1954. The single species, commonly known as the Enigmatic Stone, has not been collected in Ohio for 50–60 years despite historical records from larger rivers in that state. Like other Perlidae, members are aquatic as immatures and terrestrial as adults.
Calineuria
common stoneflies
Calineuria is a genus of stoneflies in the family Perlidae, established by Ricker in 1954. The genus contains approximately seven described species distributed across western North America and East Asia. Species such as Calineuria californica have been subjects of life history studies in stream environments. The genus was taxonomically revised from previously broader classifications, with C. californica formerly placed in Acroneuria.
Claassenia sabulosa
Shortwing Stonefly, short-wing stone
Claassenia sabulosa, commonly known as the shortwing stonefly, is a species of common stonefly in the family Perlidae. It is found in North America, with documented populations in the western United States including Colorado, as well as Canada. The species has been studied for its life cycle dynamics in Colorado streams and its adult mate-finding behaviors.
Doroneuria baumanni
Cascades Stonefly, cascades stone
Doroneuria baumanni, known as the Cascades Stonefly, is a species of common stonefly in the family Perlidae. It was described by Stark & Gaufin in 1974. The species occurs in western North America, with documented records from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada. Like other Perlidae, it is predatory in its aquatic nymph stage.
Hesperoperla hoguei
Banded Stone
Hesperoperla hoguei is a species of stonefly in the family Perlidae, commonly known as the banded stone. It is a member of the subfamily Acroneuriinae, a group of predatory stoneflies often associated with flowing freshwater habitats. The species was described by Baumann and Stark in 1980 and is known from western North America, particularly California. As with other perlid stoneflies, it likely inhabits cool, well-oxygenated streams.
Hesperoperla pacifica
golden stonefly, Golden Stone
Hesperoperla pacifica, commonly known as the golden stonefly, is a species of common stonefly in the family Perlidae. It is native to western North America, with documented populations in Colorado streams and broader distribution across Alberta, Arizona, Alaska, British Columbia, and California. The species has been studied for its life history responses to varying flow regimes and serves as an indicator of stream health in its aquatic habitats.
Neoperla clymene
Coastal Stone
Neoperla clymene, commonly known as the coastal stone, is a stonefly species in the family Perlidae. It occurs in eastern North America, with documented records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Indiana. Like other perlid stoneflies, it inhabits freshwater environments where its larvae develop.
Neoperla coosa
Coosa stone
Neoperla coosa, commonly known as the Coosa stone, is a species of common stonefly in the family Perlidae. It was described by Smith & Stark in 1998. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, and New York. As a member of the Perlidae family, it belongs to a group of predatory stoneflies often associated with clean, flowing freshwater habitats.
Paragnetina media
embossed stonefly, Embossed Stone
Paragnetina media, commonly known as the embossed stonefly, is a predaceous stonefly species in the family Perlidae. It is found in North America, with documented populations in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, and Indiana. The species has been studied for its sensory morphology, particularly the distribution of sensilla on mouthparts and antennae, and its ecological responses to habitat variables including current speed and substrate composition.
Perlesta nitida
Tiny Stone
Perlesta nitida, commonly known as the tiny stone, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlidae. It was described by Banks in 1948. This species belongs to the order Plecoptera, a group of aquatic insects commonly known as stoneflies. The common name "tiny stone" reflects its small size relative to other stoneflies in the family.
Perlinella drymo
Striped Stone
Perlinella drymo, commonly known as the striped stone, is a stonefly species in the family Perlidae. It was first described by Newman in 1839 under the basionym Isogenus drymo. The species is distributed across eastern North America, with records from Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, and other states. As a member of Perlidae, it belongs to a family of predatory stoneflies commonly referred to as common stoneflies.