Stonefly
Stoneflies
(Order Plecoptera) might be considered one of the trout fisherman's VBF, very
best friends.
Nine stonefly families, consisting of over six hundred
species have been documented in the United States.
All share some common traits. They are aquatic insects that
go through a life-cycle consisting of a water phase (egg to nymph) and a land
phase (flying adult). The cycle is called incomplete metamorphosis because they
skip the pupa stage.
Nymphs, like the one in the top picture have two tail-like
cerci on the end of the abdomen. They can be confused with Mayfly nymphs, which
have three long tails.
They are very sensitive to water quality, and in areas where
they are found in large numbers, the nymphs are an important food source for
native trout.
The bottom picture shows a giant stonefly, family
Pteronarcyidae. The dark veins on the wings give it a physical similarity with
alderflies.
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