COMMON STONEFLY / EMBOSSED STONE |
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Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) and Their Contributions to Ecosystem Services (PDF)
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KINGDOM : Animalia
PHYLUM : Arthropoda
SUBPHYLUM : Hexapoda
CLASS : Insecta
ORDER : Plecoptera
SUBORDER : Systellognatha
FAMILY : Perlidae
GENUS : Paragnetina
SPECIES : P. Media
--------------------------------- Aquatic benthic macroinvertebrateWater quality indicators (PDF) ![]() CLICK FOR DOWNLOAD |
COMMON STONEFLY / EMBOSSED STONE PARAGNETINA MEDIA
Paragnetina Media, the Embossed Stonefly, is a species of common stonefly in the family Perlidae. It is found in North America. The presence of stoneflies suggests clean streams & water. The adult looks differents from the juvenile. Adult are dark/olive brown color. The wings overlap each other over the body & are covered in dark veins.
The immature Pargnetina media is frequently referred to as a larva but more properly classified as a nymph. These nymphs can be found in streams at the bottom of debris, or under rocks. The hatching of the egg marks the first instar in which the immature nymph looks very different than that of its adult form. The era of the first instar ends when the nymph undergoes its first ecydysis. With each preceding ecdysis the nymph will begin to look more like that of an adult.
Unlike larva, a nymph will usually live in the same environment and consume the same foods as that of an the adult form. This creates competition between both the nymphs and the adults over the recourses of the area. Once an adult, the Paragnetina media moves from the water to a more terrestrial insect, although it can still survive for periods of time in the water. Adults are mostly herbivores feeding among the foliage along streams. Mature adults only live for a couple of weeks but during this time can be found by sweeping the grasses along streams, on fence posts near a water source, or many times can be found resting on bridges.
The Perlidae family are large, robust stoneflies. Yellow to brown coloration. 3/8-1 5/8'' length. Conspicuous ventral branched gills present on the thorax.
Wide range of lotic habitats. Also found in some erosional lentic environments. Typically found under stones. Like many stoneflies, Perlidae are sensitive to environmental disturbances and pollution.
Approximately 82 species are found throughout North America, 400 species worldwide. The majority of North American species are found east of the Rocky Mountains.
Eggs laid in the water, and may go into diapause during warmer summer months. Adults emerge in spring-summer.
Nymphs are carnivorous, however, some early instars may be collector/gatherers. Eat a variety of aquatic invertebrates including mayfly nymphs, midges and caddisfly nymphs.
Wide range of lotic habitats. Also found in some erosional lentic environments. Typically found under stones. Like many stoneflies, Perlidae are sensitive to environmental disturbances and pollution.
Approximately 82 species are found throughout North America, 400 species worldwide. The majority of North American species are found east of the Rocky Mountains.
1-2 year life cycle. Eggs laid in the water, and may go into diapause during warmer summer months. Adults emerge in spring-summer.
Nymphs are carnivorous, however, some early instars may be collector/gatherers. Eat a variety of aquatic invertebrates including mayfly nymphs, midges and caddisfly nymphs.
The Perlidae are a family of stoneflies, with more than 50 genera and 1,100 described species. The majority of the Perlidae are found in eastern North America, but they occur worldwide except for Antarctica and parts of Africa. Their lifecycles range between one and three years. They adults emerge in the summer; they are very active and known to be attracted to light sources. They are usually very sensitive to changes in environment.
Perlidae are usually lotic and lentic erosional. They are found in cool, clear medium-sized to large streams and sometimes in larger, warm rivers that carry silt. They are crawlers and can move quickly. In still water, no water moves over their gills, so they move their bodies up and down to keep oxygen flowing over them.
They are engulfer-predators. They consume all types of invertebrates. Very young larvae are collector-gatherers.
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