Wingless-species

Guides

• 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).

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