Peltoperlidae
Peltoperlidae – Roachlike Stoneflies
Natural History
The Family Peltoperlidae is comprised of 6 genera and 18 known species (Merrit and Cummins, 1997). Species are semivoltine, meaning that their life cycle is composed of 1 to 2 years. Adults of the family usually emerge in late spring or early summer, April through June. Larvae are flattened and brown in color, they are roachlike in appearance because of the expanded thoracic plates that cover the bases of the legs, head and abdomen (Voshell, 2002). There are tapering gills on the thorax at the bases of the legs. There are no dense tufts or branching gills on the thorax or abdomen.
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Habit and Habitat
Peltoperlidae are generally lotic erosional and depositional. These habitats are flowing streams that are marked by sediments, vascular plants and detritus. Roachlike stoneflies are generally found in leaf litter and debris piles either trapped in riffles or pools.
This family is considered to be clingers-sprawlers. This means that they attach to surface in erosional habitats or rest loosely on the top surfaces of substrates respectively. The body of this stonefly is flattened and streamline to aid in minimizing water resistance in a flowing stream.
Respiration
The Peltoperlidae have small tapering fingerlike gills near the bases of the legs on the thorax. These tracheal gills are multifunctional and key to many biological processes. This family is very sensitive to disturbances in environmental conditions.
Functional Feeding Group
Peltoperlidae are classified as in the feeding group shredders-detritivores. They chew and mine through leaf litter which is seen in their habitat. They are a significant contributor to leaf breakdown in streams. They are intolerant to loss of coarse particulate organic matter for food and habitat.
Genus:
Peltoperla (2 sp.) East North America;
Sierraperla (1 sp.) Nevada, California;
Soliperla (6 sp.) Pacific Northwest;
Tallaperla (6 sp.) East;
Viehoperla (1 sp.) Appalachians;
Yoroperla (2 sp.) West.
1 - Voshell, J.R. "A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America." McDonald and Woodward. Blacksburg, Va. 2002.
2 - Merritt and Cummins. "An Introduction to the Aquatic insects of North America 3rd ed." Kendall Hunt. Dubuque, Iowa. 1996.