Plecoptera
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.
Allocapnia
winter stoneflies
Allocapnia is a genus of small winter stoneflies in the family Capniidae, comprising at least 40 described species. Adults emerge during winter months, typically from December through March. Nymphs inhabit stream substrates and exhibit vertical movement within the hyporheic zone, often retreating to deeper substrate during summer diapause and returning to surface layers in autumn.
Allocapnia maria
Two-knobbed Snowfly
Allocapnia maria, the two-knobbed snowfly, is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. The species was described by Hanson in 1942 and occurs in eastern North America. Like other winter stoneflies, it is active during cold months when most other insects are dormant.
Allocapnia recta
Eastern Snowfly
Allocapnia recta, commonly known as the eastern snowfly, is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. The species exhibits a univoltine slow-season life cycle with adult emergence occurring during January-February. It inhabits karst headwater streams, where it has been observed at higher densities in intermittent flow sections compared to permanent flow sections. The species is found in eastern North America.
Allocapnia rickeri
Midwest Snowfly
Allocapnia rickeri is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the Midwest Snowfly. It is one of numerous small, dark stoneflies in the genus Allocapnia that emerge during cold months when few other insects are active. The species has been documented across the central and eastern United States. Like other capniids, it is associated with clean, cold streams and is an important indicator of water quality.
winter-stoneflybioindicatorcoldwaterPlecopteraCapniidaeAllocapnialoticemergencebrachypteryapterygenitalia-identificationFrison-1942Midwestsoutheastern-USclean-water-indicatorJanuary-Marchsmall-stoneflywingless-femalestream-insectshreddergathererseasonal-resourcewater-qualityaquatic-insectterrestrial-adultshort-lived-adultovipositionsubmerged-eggshigh-dissolved-oxygenlow-temperaturecentral-USeastern-USAlabamaArkansasDelawareGeorgiaIllinoishexapodhemimetabolousEuholognathaNemouroideaArctoperlariaInsectaArthropodaAnimaliaGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeiNaturalistNCBItaxonomyaccepted-species1942FrisonRickerMidwest-Snowflysnowflysmall-dark-stoneflyclean-streamsriverswell-oxygenatedlotic-habitatcold-monthswinter-activitywing-reductionfemale-apterymale-flightepiproctparaproctterminaliataxonomic-revisioncongenersdistribution-recordsobservations9-observationseukaryotemetazoanarthropodinsectstoneflywinter-emergingJanuaryFebruaryMarchcold-weathernear-freezingbelow-freezingwater-surfacesubmerged-substratesallochthonous-organic-materialstream-ecosystemsseasonal-food-resourceinsectivorous-birdspredatorsscarce-preyunpollutedno-economic-importancestream-monitoringwater-quality-indicatorhigh-quality-coldwatermicroscopic-examinationtaxonomic-keysmale-terminaliareliable-separationgenitalic-examinationoverlapping-distributionsimilar-habitatsmall-sizeunder-10-mmbody-lengthreduced-wingsabsent-wingsfully-developed-wingsspecific-identificationpublished-descriptionsillustrationssubsequent-revisionscharacteristicfamily-Capniidaecommon-nameextended-nymphal-periodone-to-two-yearsshort-liveddoes-not-feedaquatic-nymphclean-cold-streamslow-temperaturesyear-roundwinter-monthsJanuary-through-Marchfamilycentered-Midwestextends-southeasternUnited-Statesdocumentedappearsmost-reliablydistinguishedsubtle-differencesterminal-abdominal-structuresshould-be-comparedagainstpublishedsubsequentgenus-levelcharacterizedreducedabsentfemalesfully-developedmalesrequires-examinationmale-genitaliastructureparaproctsreliableseparationoverlapssimilarmanyexternallydefinitivereliesmicroscopicexaminationcomparisonkeysusedbiologicalindicatorprogramspresenceindicatescoldconditionsno-directeconomicimportanceshreddersgatherersprocessingallochthonousorganicmaterialstreamecosystemsseasonalfoodresourceinsectivorousbirdsotherwhenalternativepreyscarceserveshigh-qualityhabitatsdevelopmentaquaticnymphalstagesterrestrialadultstagenymphsdevelopstreamsextendedperiodlikelyonetwoyearsbasedrelatedspeciesadultsdo-notfeedactiveduringweatherairtemperaturesmaynearbelowfreezingwingedcapableflightwinglessshort-wingedremainwatersurfacematingoccurwinterenteringdepositeggssubmergedsubstratessmallcommonlyknownnumerousdarkemergefewinsectscentraleasternassociatedcleanimportantundermmbodylengthmembersgenuswingspossessfullydevelopedspecificidentificationlevelwithinrequiresmalegenitaliaparticularlymostreliablysubtledifferencestheseterminalabdominalstructuresshouldcompareddescriptionstaxonomicrevisionswinter-emergingmaintainlowhighdissolvedoxygenlevelsthroughoutyearUnitedStatesdistributioncenteredextendssoutheasternmonthstypicallythroughthisactivitygivesrisecommonnamedonotprovidesqualitymonitoringnodirecthabitatmorphologysizegenitalicAllocapnia vivipara
Shortwing Snowfly, short-wing snowfly
Allocapnia vivipara, commonly known as the shortwing snowfly, is a species of small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded from multiple states in the central United States. The species was originally described as Capnella vivipara by Claassen in 1924 before being transferred to Allocapnia. As a winter stonefly, it belongs to a group adapted to cold-season activity.
Alloperla
Alloperla is a genus of stoneflies in the family Chloroperlidae. Species within this genus inhabit running water environments, including the hyporheic zones of gravel-bed rivers. Some species exhibit extended larval development periods and specialized feeding habits. The genus has a broad distribution across the Holarctic region.
Alloperla concolor
Duckhead Sallfly
Alloperla concolor, commonly known as the duckhead sallfly, is a species of green stonefly in the family Chloroperlidae. It was described by Ricker in 1936 and is native to North America. The species belongs to a family whose members are typically predatory as nymphs and are indicators of clean, well-oxygenated aquatic environments.
Amphinemura linda
Amphinemura linda is a species of spring stonefly in the family Nemouridae. It was described by Ricker in 1952. The species is currently considered a synonym of Amphinemura palmeni. It has been recorded from North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Alaska, British Columbia, and Iowa, as well as from Finland.
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.
Attaneuria ruralis
Giant Stone, Enigmatic Stone
Attaneuria ruralis, commonly known as the Giant Stone or Enigmatic Stone, is a stonefly species in the family Perlidae. It was historically documented from larger rivers in Ohio but has not been collected in the last 50-60 years, raising concerns about local extinction. The species possesses a long life cycle of 1-2 years, which increases its vulnerability to population loss. Its distribution extends across the southeastern and midwestern United States.
Bolotoperla rossi
Smoky Willowfly
Bolotoperla rossi is a species of stonefly in the family Taeniopterygidae, commonly known as the Smoky Willowfly. Originally described as Brachyptera rossi by Frison in 1942, it was later transferred to the genus Bolotoperla. This species belongs to the winter stonefly group, which are active during cold months when most other insects are dormant.
Bolshecapnia
small winter stoneflies
Bolshecapnia is a genus of small winter stoneflies in the family Capniidae, first described by Ricker in 1965 as a subgenus of Capnia and later elevated to genus rank. The genus currently comprises four species distributed in western North America. Members of this genus are adapted to cold-water environments and exhibit the characteristic winter-emergence pattern typical of Capniidae.
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.
Capnia lineata
Straight Snowfly
Capnia lineata is a species of small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. It is known from scattered records in western North America, including California and Idaho. As a member of the Capniidae, it belongs to a group commonly called "small winter stoneflies" or "snowflies" that are typically active during cold months. The species was described by Hanson in 1943. Very little detailed biological information has been published specifically for this species.
Capnia promota
Pacific Snowfly
Capnia promota is a species of small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. It is commonly known as the Pacific Snowfly due to its distribution along the Pacific coast of North America. The species was described by Frison in 1937. Like other Capniidae, it is active during the winter months when most other insects are dormant.
Capnia umpqua
Umpqua Snowfly
Capnia umpqua, commonly known as the Umpqua Snowfly, is a small winter stonefly species in the family Capniidae. It was described by Frison in 1942. The species occurs in western North America, with documented records from California and Oregon. As a member of the Capniidae, it belongs to a group of stoneflies adapted to cold-water environments and winter-emergence patterns.
Capniidae
small winter stoneflies, winter stoneflies
Capniidae, the small winter stoneflies, is one of the largest families in the order Plecoptera, comprising approximately 300 species distributed throughout the Holarctic region. Adults are active during winter months, often observed on snow-covered stream banks when most other insects are dormant. The family exhibits notable adaptations to cold environments, including antifreeze compounds and winglessness in some species, which has led to high endemism and restricted distributions. Their closest relatives are the rolled-winged stoneflies (Leuctridae).
Capnura
small winter stoneflies
Capnura is a genus of small winter stoneflies in the family Capniidae, established by Banks in 1900. The genus contains approximately seven described species distributed primarily in North America. These stoneflies are part of the winter-emerging group of Plecoptera, with adults typically active during cold months when most other insects are inactive.
Capnura manitoba
Manitoba snowfly
Capnura manitoba, commonly known as the Manitoba snowfly, is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. It is one of several species in the genus Capnura, which are characterized by their cold-season activity patterns. The species was first described by Claassen in 1924 from Manitoba. Like other members of the Capniidae, it is adapted to cold-water environments and exhibits winter-emergence behavior typical of this stonefly family.
Chloroperlidae
Green Stoneflies, Green Sallies, Yellow Sallies, Yellow Sallflies
Chloroperlidae is a family of stoneflies comprising over 200 species across 22 genera, commonly known as green stoneflies for their characteristic yellowish-green to green coloration. Adults range from 6–20 mm in body length and are distinguished by relatively short cerci, slender labial palps, and wings pads that remain parallel to the body midline. The family exhibits hemimetabolous development with egg, nymph, and adult stages but no pupal stage. Nymphs are aquatic inhabitants of cold, clean streams and rivers across five continents, where their sensitivity to pollutants makes them important bioindicators of water quality. Adults are primarily terrestrial, dwelling in riparian vegetation near water bodies with a brief lifespan focused on reproduction.
Chloroperlinae
Chloroperlinae is a subfamily of stoneflies within the family Chloroperlidae, established by Okamoto in 1912. Members are commonly known as green stoneflies due to their characteristic coloration. The subfamily occurs across multiple continents in cold freshwater habitats. Adults emerge from aquatic environments to inhabit riparian zones.
Chloroperlini
green stoneflies
Chloroperlini is a tribe of green stoneflies within the family Chloroperlidae. Members are characterized by their predominantly green coloration as adults and are associated with lotic freshwater habitats. The tribe contains multiple genera distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Larvae are aquatic and typically found in cool, well-oxygenated streams.
Chrysops cincticornis
Ring-clawed Deer Fly
Chrysops cincticornis is a deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It is commonly known as the Ring-clawed Deer Fly. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States, with 291 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Research on this species has focused on its oviposition behavior and fecundity, with laboratory studies showing females deposit eggs in gelatinous masses on mud substrates near water, averaging 156 eggs per female.
deer-flyTabanidaeDipteramedical-entomologyovipositionfecundityring-clawed-deer-flyVermontUnited-Statesmud-substrategelatinous-egg-massChrysopsinaeChrysopsiniWalker-1848iNaturalistlaboratory-rearingegg-mass156-eggsrange-42-312near-watermud-like-substrateegg-depositionreproductionbehavioral-studymedical-entomology-researchinsect-vectorsbiting-fliestabanid-flieshorse-fliesdeer-fliesChrysopsNorth-AmericaNew-Englandobservation-recordssynonym-status-in-Catalogue-of-Lifeaccepted-status-in-GBIFarthropodinsectflyBrachyceraTabanomorphaHexapodaPterygotaAnimaliaArthropodaInsectacincticornisChrysops-cincticornis-Walker-1848Chrysops-(Chrysops)-cincticornisdeerflyhorseflytabanidbiting-flyvectoroviposition-behaviorfecundity-studyJournal-of-Medical-Entomology198210.1093/jmedent/19.5.597gelatinous-secretionmudwaterlaboratory-conditionsmean-fecundityegg-productionreproductive-biologyentomologyinsect-behaviorinsect-reproductiondipterantrue-flytwo-winged-flynematoceranCyclorrhaphaAschizaSchizophoraAcalyptrataeCalyptrataeOestroideaMuscoideaHippoboscoideaGlossinidaeCalliphoridaeSarcophagidaeMuscidaeFanniidaeAnthomyiidaeScathophagidaeOestridaeTachinidaeSiphonapteraPhthirapteraHemipteraColeopteraLepidopteraHymenopteraNeuropteraMegalopteraRaphidiopteraTrichopteraStrepsipteraMecopteraDipluraProturaCollembolaZygentomaArchaeognathaEphemeropteraOdonataPlecopteraGrylloblattodeaMantophasmatodeaPhasmatodeaOrthopteraDermapteraEmbiopteraZorapteraIsopteraBlattodeaMantodeaPhyllodocidaNotopteraWalker1848speciestaxongelatinoushabitatdistributionGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIlaboratory-studybehaviorlife-cyclesubstratemud-likemeanrange42-312femaleobservationrecordspecimencollectionmuseumresearchstudyarticleabstractDOIbiologyecologyhorse-flyacceptedsynonymtaxonomyclassificationUS291-observationslaboratory291-iNaturalist-observationsGBIF-distribution-recordsaccepted-species-statussynonym-in-Catalogue-of-Life156-eggs-mean-fecundityrange-42-312-eggs1982-Journal-of-Medical-Entomology-publicationDOI-10.1093/jmedent/19.5.597entomology-researchdipteran-biologyClaassenia 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.
Clioperla clio
Clio Stripetail
Clioperla clio is a species of green-winged stonefly and the sole member of the monotypic genus Clioperla. It belongs to the family Perlodidae, a group of predatory stoneflies commonly known as stripetails. The species is endemic to the Nearctic region and has been documented across the eastern and southeastern United States. Like other perlodids, it is associated with freshwater habitats during its immature stages.
Cosumnoperla hypocrena
Cosumnes Spring Stonefly
Cosumnoperla hypocrena is a species of spring stonefly in the family Perlodidae, described from California in 1987. The genus Cosumnoperla contains species associated with spring-fed habitats. As a member of the subfamily Isoperlinae, it shares characteristics with other western North American perlodids. The specific epithet refers to the type locality near the Cosumnes River.
Cultus verticalis
Spiny Springfly
Cultus verticalis, commonly known as the spiny springfly, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlodidae. The species was first described by Banks in 1920 under the basionym Perla verticalis. It is known from scattered localities in eastern North America, with confirmed records from Georgia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Québec. As a member of the Perlodidae, it belongs to a family of predatory stoneflies commonly found in cool, well-oxygenated streams.
Despaxia augusta
autumn needlefly, smooth needlefly
Despaxia augusta is a species of rolled-winged stonefly in the family Leuctridae. It is commonly known as the autumn needlefly or smooth needlefly. The species was first described by Banks in 1907 under the basionym Leuctra augustus. It is distributed across western North America.
Diploperlini
springflies
Diploperlini is a tribe of springflies (Plecoptera) in the family Perlodidae, established by Stark & Szczytko in 1984. The tribe comprises approximately 13 genera and more than 30 described species. Members of this tribe are aquatic insects in the nymphal stage and terrestrial as adults.
Diura
Diura is a genus of stoneflies (Plecoptera) in the family Perlodidae, comprising approximately seven described species distributed across Europe and North America. Species such as Diura nanseni are univoltine, completing their life cycle in one year with nymphal growth primarily during spring months. Nymphs are typically associated with lotic environments and exhibit predatory or grazing feeding habits depending on species.
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.
Eucapnopsis brevicauda
short-tailed snowfly
Eucapnopsis brevicauda is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the short-tailed snowfly. It has a transpacific distribution spanning North America and eastern Asia, with confirmed records from Canada, the United States, Mongolia, Russia, and South Korea. Adults emerge during late winter to spring and are typically found in association with cold, running water in sub-montane stream habitats. The species was previously misidentified as E. quattuorsegmentata in Korean records.
Eurekapnia maculata
Spotted Snowfly
Eurekapnia maculata is a species of winter stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the Spotted Snowfly. It belongs to a group of small stoneflies adapted to cold environments, with adults typically emerging during winter months when temperatures are near freezing. The species is native to North America and shares characteristics typical of the Capniidae family, including reduced wing venation and small body size.
Haploperla brevis
Least Sallfly
Haploperla brevis, commonly known as the least sallfly, is a species of green stonefly in the family Chloroperlidae. It is a small plecopteran insect found in North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Alabama, Arkansas, British Columbia, and Connecticut. The species was first described by Nathan Banks in 1895.
Helopicus
springflies
Helopicus is a genus of springflies (order Plecoptera) in the family Perlodidae, established by Ricker in 1952. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across eastern North America and parts of Asia. Species in this genus are part of the stonefly group Systellognatha, characterized by their predatory or omnivorous feeding habits as nymphs.
Helopicus subvarians
vernal springfly
Helopicus subvarians is a species of springfly in the family Perlodidae, described by Banks in 1920. It is commonly known as the vernal springfly. Records indicate occurrence in the eastern United States. Like other Plecoptera, it is associated with aquatic habitats during immature stages.
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.
Illiesiella
Illiesiella is a genus of stoneflies in the family Leuctridae, commonly known as needleflies or rolled-winged stoneflies. These small, slender insects inhabit cool, clean freshwater environments. The genus was established to accommodate species previously placed in other leuctrid genera based on distinctive morphological characteristics. Members are found in the Holarctic region, with species distributed across Europe and parts of Asia.
Isogenoides
springflies
Isogenoides is a genus of springflies (family Perlodidae) comprising eight described species distributed across North America. These stoneflies inhabit cool, lotic freshwater systems and exhibit species-specific vibrational communication through drumming. The genus demonstrates considerable life history diversity, including extended diapause periods and semivoltine development in some populations.
Isogenoides frontalis
Hudsonian springfly
Isogenoides frontalis, known as the Hudsonian springfly, is a stonefly species in the family Perlodidae. It is one of several species in the genus Isogenoides found in North America. The species has been documented in the northern United States and Canada, including Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, and Manitoba. Research on the genus indicates that Isogenoides species exhibit complex vibrational communication (drumming) behaviors and extended egg diapause lasting up to several years.
Isoperla bilineata
Two-lined Stripetail
Isoperla bilineata, commonly known as the two-lined stripetail, is a species of green-winged stonefly in the family Perlodidae. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Alabama, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, and Illinois. Adults feed on pollen, while larvae are predatory and emerge from water in spring.