Plecoptera
Guides
Peltoperlidae
roach-like stoneflies, roachflies
Peltoperlidae is a family of stoneflies comprising 11 genera and approximately 46 known species. Larvae are dorsoventrally flattened with expanded thoracic plates, giving them a distinctive roach-like appearance. The family exhibits semivoltine life cycles lasting one to two years, with adult emergence typically occurring from April through June. Members are classified as shredder-detritivores, playing a significant role in leaf litter decomposition in lotic systems.
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.
Perlinodes
Perlinodes is a genus of stoneflies in the family Perlodidae. It was established by Needham and Claassen in 1925 and is classified within the tribe Arcynopterygini. The genus is found in western North America, with records from Alberta and several western U.S. states. Like other perlodid stoneflies, members of this genus are aquatic as nymphs and terrestrial as adults.
Perlinodes aurea
Perlinodes aurea is a species of stonefly in the family Perlodidae. The genus Perlinodes is part of the subfamily Isoperlinae, a group of predatory stoneflies characterized by their streamlined bodies and aquatic larval stages. Like other members of Perlodidae, P. aurea has a life cycle tied to clean, well-oxygenated freshwater habitats. Adult stoneflies are generally short-lived and do not feed, focusing instead on reproduction. The specific epithet "aurea" (golden) likely refers to coloration characteristics of the species.
Perlodinae
Springflies
Perlodinae is a subfamily of stoneflies in the family Perlodidae, first described by Klapálek in 1909. The subfamily comprises at least 20 genera and approximately 60 described species. Perlodinae is distributed across Asia and other regions, with notable diversity in China. The tribal classification within Perlodinae remains under discussion, with three recognized tribes but ongoing questions about their validity.
Perlodini
Perlodini is a tribe of stoneflies (order Plecoptera) within the family Perlodidae, established by Klapálek in 1909. The tribe comprises more than 80 described species distributed across the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Perlodini belongs to the subfamily Perlodinae and represents a well-defined lineage within the systellognathan stoneflies, though specific ecological traits of the tribe as a whole remain incompletely documented.
Perloidea
common stoneflies, perloid stoneflies
Perloidea is a superfamily of stoneflies within the suborder Arctoperlaria, characterized by well-developed mouthparts adapted for predation or omnivory. Members are primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere. The superfamily includes several families of medium to large-sized stoneflies with diverse ecological roles in freshwater ecosystems.
Podmosta
spring stoneflies
Podmosta is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae, comprising approximately six described species distributed across northern North America and the Russian Far East. The genus is notable for its adaptation to cold climates, including documented embryonic diapause in at least one species. Adults are active in spring, with nymphal development occurring primarily during winter months.
Prostoia
Prostoia is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae, established by Ricker in 1952. The genus contains five described species distributed across North America. Two species have common names: Prostoia completa (central forestfly) and Prostoia similis (longhorn forestfly). Members of this genus are part of the Nemourinae subfamily within the Nemouridae family of stoneflies.
Prostoia similis
Longhorn Forestfly
Prostoia similis, commonly known as the longhorn forestfly, is a species of spring stonefly in the family Nemouridae. It is found in North America, with records from states including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. As a member of the order Plecoptera, it belongs to an ancient group of aquatic insects whose nymphs typically inhabit cool, clean streams.
Pteronarcella
giant stoneflies, least salmonfly, dwarf salmonfly
Pteronarcella is a genus of giant stoneflies (family Pteronarcyidae) containing at least two described species: Pteronarcella badia (least salmonfly) and Pteronarcella regularis (dwarf salmonfly). These are among the largest stoneflies in North America, with adults known for their distinctive drumming communication behavior. Research on P. badia has provided significant insights into aquatic insect phylogeography and dispersal mechanisms in western North America.
Pteronarcys californica
giant salmonfly, salmonfly, California giant stonefly
Pteronarcys californica, commonly called the giant salmonfly, is among the largest stoneflies in North America. The nymphal stage lasts 3–4 years in cold, well-oxygenated rivers, after which adults emerge in synchronized mass events during late spring to early summer. Adults are strikingly colored with bright orange abdomens, leg joints, and thorax segments, and carry egg masses resembling clusters of salmon roe. The species serves as a critical food source for salmonid fishes and is highly valued by fly anglers, making it both ecologically and culturally significant across western North American river systems.
Pteronarcys pictetii
Midwestern Salmonfly
Pteronarcys pictetii, commonly known as the midwestern salmonfly, is a species of giant stonefly in the family Pteronarcyidae. It is one of the largest stoneflies in North America. The species is found primarily in the central United States. Like other members of its family, it has aquatic nymphs and terrestrial adults.
Pteronarcys princeps
Ebony Salmonfly
Pteronarcys princeps, commonly known as the ebony salmonfly, is a species of giant stonefly in the family Pteronarcyidae. It is among the largest stonefly species in North America. The species is found in the western United States and southwestern Canada, with records from British Columbia, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. As a member of the Pteronarcyidae, it belongs to a primitive family of stoneflies whose larvae are aquatic and typically require well-oxygenated, cold-water habitats.
Pteronarcys proteus
Appalachian Salmonfly
Pteronarcys proteus, commonly known as the Appalachian salmonfly, is a giant stonefly in the family Pteronarcyidae. It is among the largest stonefly species in North America. Adults are known for their distinctive appearance and are most frequently encountered near clean, fast-flowing streams. The species has been documented in the eastern United States, with records from Kentucky through New England.
Rickera sorpta
Palestripe Springfly
Rickera sorpta is a stonefly species in the family Perlodidae, known by the common name Palestripe Springfly. It is distributed across the western United States, with records from California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. As a member of the order Plecoptera, it is associated with freshwater habitats and likely exhibits the aquatic larval and terrestrial adult life history typical of stoneflies.
Salmoperla
Salmoperla is a genus of stoneflies (Plecoptera) in the family Perlodidae, tribe Arcynopterygini. Described in 1987 by Baumann and Lauck, this genus is known from California. As a member of the Systellognatha, Salmoperla belongs to a group of predatory stoneflies characterized by specialized mouthpart adaptations.
Shipsa rotunda
Intrepid Forestfly
Shipsa rotunda is a Nearctic stonefly species in the family Nemouridae with an extensive distribution across Canada and the United States. Despite its wide geographic range, the species exhibits remarkably little morphological variation in both males and females. Reproductive terminalia have been examined using scanning electron microscopy from specimens across its range, revealing consistent structural features. The species was originally described as Nemoura rotunda by Claassen in 1923 and later transferred to the genus Shipsa.
Sierraperla cora
Giant Roachfly, Italian Garlic
Sierraperla cora is a species of stonefly in the family Peltoperlidae, commonly known as the giant roachfly or Italian garlic. The species is characterized by its roach-like appearance, a trait shared by members of its family. It is native to western North America, with documented records from California, Nevada, and Oregon. The species was originally described as Peltoperla cora by Needham and Smith in 1916 before being transferred to the genus Sierraperla.
Skwala
springflies
Skwala is a genus of springflies (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) established by Ricker in 1943, containing approximately five described species distributed across North America and Asia. Species in this genus are amphibiotic, with aquatic nymphal stages in freshwater streams and terrestrial adults. At least one species, Skwala pusilla, has been documented as predatory. The genus has been subject to cytogenetic study, with Skwala compacta representing the first photographic documentation of stonefly chromosomes.
Skwala americana
American springfly
Skwala americana, commonly known as the American springfly, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlodidae. It is distributed across western North America, with records from Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, and other regions. As a member of the order Plecoptera, it has an aquatic larval stage and terrestrial adult stage, typical of stoneflies.
Skwala curvata
Curved Springfly
Skwala curvata, commonly known as the curved springfly, is a stonefly species in the family Perlodidae. It was described by Hanson in 1942 and is found in western North America.
Soliperla sierra
Soliperla sierra is a stonefly species in the family Peltoperlidae, first described by Stark in 1983. The species is notable for its vibrational communication system, with male call and response signals described for the first time in a 2023 study. Males produce repeated monophasic call signals consisting of one to six signals with inconsistent inter-call intervals. Females respond with sequenced monophasic answers that do not follow all male calls, and occasional three-way exchanges occur when males respond to female answers. The species is known from California.
Soyedina nevadensis
Nevada Forestfly
Soyedina nevadensis is a species of stonefly in the family Nemouridae, commonly known as the Nevada Forestfly. It was described by Claassen in 1923. The species belongs to the order Plecoptera, a group of aquatic insects whose nymphs typically inhabit cold, clean streams.
Strophopteryx
mottled willowfly (for S. fasciata)
Strophopteryx is a genus of winter stoneflies comprising seven described species. Members are found in the Holarctic region, with records from North America and the Russian Far East. The genus belongs to the family Taeniopterygidae, a group characterized by adult emergence during cold months. Strophopteryx fasciata, the mottled willowfly, is the most well-known species and has been the subject of mitochondrial genome sequencing.
Susulus venustus
Susulus venustus is a stonefly species in the family Perlodidae, described by Jewett in 1965. It belongs to the genus Susulus within the tribe Perlodini. The species is known from California in western North America. As a member of the Plecoptera order, it is part of the aquatic insect community associated with freshwater habitats.
Suwallia
green stoneflies
Suwallia is a genus of green stoneflies (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae) in the tribe Suwalliini, comprising more than 20 described species. The genus is distributed across the East Palearctic and Nearctic regions, including Russia, Mongolia, Japan, North America, and China. Adult males possess distinctive genitalic structures used for species identification, such as specialized sclerites on tergum X. The genus was established by Ricker in 1943.
Suwallia marginata
York sallfly
Suwallia marginata, commonly known as the York sallfly, is a species of green stonefly in the family Chloroperlidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded from several eastern and northeastern localities including Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Georgia, and Labrador. As a member of the Chloroperlidae, it belongs to a family commonly referred to as green stoneflies or sallflies.
Sweltsa borealis
Boreal Sallfly
Sweltsa borealis, known as the boreal sallfly, is a species of green stonefly in the family Chloroperlidae. It is native to North America with documented records from Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, and Colorado. As a member of the Chloroperlidae family, it belongs to a group commonly referred to as green stoneflies or sallflies. The species was first described by Banks in 1895.
Sweltsa coloradensis
Colorado Sallfly
Sweltsa coloradensis, known as the Colorado sallfly, is a green stonefly species in the family Chloroperlidae. It is found in western North America, with records from Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, and Arizona. Like other members of its family, it likely inhabits cold, clean streams. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1898.
Sweltsa lateralis
Curved Sallfly
Sweltsa lateralis, commonly known as the curved sallfly, is a species of green stonefly in the family Chloroperlidae. It was first described by Nathan Banks in 1911 under the basionym Alloperla lateralis. The species is found in eastern North America, with records from Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, and other states. Like other members of Chloroperlidae, it is associated with clean, cool freshwater habitats.
Sweltsa naica
Northeastern Sallfly
Sweltsa naica, commonly known as the northeastern sallfly, is a species of green stonefly in the family Chloroperlidae. It is known from a restricted distribution in northeastern North America. The species was described by Provancher in 1876. As a member of Chloroperlidae, it belongs to a family commonly referred to as green stoneflies or sallflies.
Taenionema
winter stoneflies
Taenionema is a genus of winter stoneflies (Plecoptera: Taeniopterygidae) comprising approximately 14 described species. The genus was established by Banks in 1905 with Taenionema analis as the type species. Species are distributed across the Nearctic and eastern Palearctic regions, with 13 species native to North America and one species (T. japonicum) ranging across Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia and northeastern China. A second Eastern Hemisphere species, T. sinensis, was described in 2023 from southeastern China.
Taenionema atlanticum
Atlantic willowfly
Taenionema atlanticum, known as the Atlantic willowfly, is a species of winter stonefly in the family Taeniopterygidae. It was described by Ricker & Ross in 1975. The species is known from a limited number of observations and records in eastern North America.
Taenionema californicum
California willowfly
Taenionema californicum, commonly known as the California willowfly, is a species of winter stonefly in the family Taeniopterygidae. It is native to North America, with documented presence in California. As a member of the order Plecoptera, it is associated with freshwater habitats. The species was first described by Needham and Claassen in 1925.
Taenionema oregonense
Oregon Willowfly
Taenionema oregonense, commonly known as the Oregon Willowfly, is a species of winter stonefly in the family Taeniopterygidae. The species was described by Needham & Claassen in 1925. It belongs to the order Plecoptera, a group of aquatic insects whose nymphs develop in freshwater habitats.
Taeniopteryx burksi
Eastern Willowfly
Taeniopteryx burksi, commonly known as the eastern willowfly, is a winter stonefly species in the family Taeniopterygidae. It was described by Ricker and Ross in 1968 and is distributed across eastern and central North America. The species belongs to a group of stoneflies adapted to cold-water environments and winter emergence patterns.
Tallaperla
roach-like stoneflies, roachflies
Tallaperla is a genus of stoneflies in the family Peltoperlidae, commonly known as roach-like stoneflies or roachflies. The genus contains seven described species distributed in eastern North America. Members of this genus are aquatic insects whose nymphs inhabit forested headwater streams and function as shredders in stream food webs. Adults emerge in late spring to early summer.
Tallaperla maria
common roachfly
Tallaperla maria, commonly known as the common roachfly, is a stonefly species in the family Peltoperlidae. 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, life history, and production alongside the related Peltoperla arcuata.
Utacapnia
small winter stoneflies
Utacapnia is a genus of small winter stoneflies in the family Capniidae. The genus contains approximately 11 described species, most of which were first described by entomologists Alan V. Nebeker and Arden R. Gaufin during the 1960s. Species in this genus are primarily distributed in the Rocky Mountains of North America. As winter stoneflies, members of this genus are active during cold months, a trait characteristic of the family Capniidae.
Utacapnia logana
Logan Snowfly
Utacapnia logana is a small winter-emerging stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the Logan Snowfly. It is native to the Rocky Mountain region of the western United States, where it inhabits cold, clean mountain streams. Adults emerge during winter months, a trait characteristic of the Capniidae family. The species was originally described as Capnia logana in 1965 before being transferred to the genus Utacapnia.
Utacapnia trava
Yellowstone Snowfly
Utacapnia trava, commonly known as the Yellowstone snowfly, is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. It is one of approximately 16 species in the genus Utacapnia, which is endemic to western North America. The species was originally described as Capnia trava in 1965 before being transferred to Utacapnia. Like other winter stoneflies, adults are active during cold months when most other insects are dormant.
Visoka
Visoka is a genus of small winter stoneflies in the family Nemouridae, established by Ricker in 1952. These insects are part of the order Plecoptera, a group of aquatic insects whose nymphs inhabit cold, well-oxygenated freshwater environments. The genus has been recorded from western North America including Alberta, Alaska, British Columbia, California, and Idaho. As with other nemourids, adults are typically small with reduced wing venation.
Visoka cataractae
Cataract Forestfly
Visoka cataractae is a species of stonefly in the family Nemouridae, commonly known as the Cataract Forestfly. It is a small, winter-emerging stonefly distributed across western North America from Alaska to California. The species was originally described as Nemoura cataractae by Neave in 1933 before being transferred to the genus Visoka. Like other nemourids, it is associated with forested stream habitats.
Yoraperla
roach-like stoneflies
Yoraperla is a genus of stoneflies in the family Peltoperlidae, commonly known as "roach-like stoneflies" due to their resemblance to cockroaches. The genus contains eight described species distributed across North America and Asia. Yoraperla was established by Ricker in 1952 and is classified within the subfamily Peltoperlinae.
Yugus
Yugus is a genus of stoneflies in the family Perlodidae, established by Ricker in 1952. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Nearctic stonefly fauna, with documented occurrence in the eastern United States. As with other perlodid stoneflies, they are aquatic insects with nymphal stages in streams and rivers. The genus is classified within the tribe Perlodini, reflecting close relationships with other genera in this group.
Zapada
forestflies, spring stoneflies, little brown stoneflies
Zapada is a genus of small spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae, commonly known as forestflies or little brown stoneflies. The genus contains at least 10 described species distributed across western North America, from Alaska and the Rocky Mountains to California. Adults are 5–8 mm in body length and emerge in early spring, often February through April depending on elevation and species. Nymphs are aquatic shredders that process leaf litter and other organic matter in cold, well-oxygenated streams.
Zapada cinctipes
Common Forestfly
Zapada cinctipes, the common forestfly, is a small spring stonefly in the family Nemouridae. Adults measure 5–8 mm in body length and emerge primarily from mid-March to mid-April, with some appearing as early as late February. The species is univoltine, completing one generation per year. Nymphs are aquatic shredders that feed on decaying leaf material in flowing waters.
Zapada cordillera
Cordilleran Forestfly
Zapada cordillera is a species of spring stonefly in the family Nemouridae, commonly known as the Cordilleran Forestfly. Described in 1971 from specimens in the western United States, this small aquatic insect is part of a genus whose nymphs are characterized by distinctive branched cervical gills retained into adulthood. As a member of the Nemouridae, it contributes to stream ecosystem function as a leaf-shredding detritivore and serves as an indicator of water quality in its montane habitat.