Order Plecoptera – stoneflies

Plecoptera means “twisted wing”

Traits: 

• Adults: flattened soft bodies. hold wings flat over body at rest
• Adults are poor fliers and stay near the stream after emerging
• Chewing mouthparts
• Mating adults “drum” their abdomens on a surface
• Eggs deposited in freshwater.

Habitat:

• Cold, fast-flowing streams.
• Nymphs live under stones for 1-3 yrs.

Food: plants and animals, dead and living