Plecoptera is an order of insects, commonly known as stoneflies. Some 3,500 species are described worldwide, with new species still being discovered. Stoneflies are found worldwide, except Antarctica. Stoneflies are believed to be one of the most primitive groups of Neoptera, with close relatives identified from the Carboniferous and Lower Permian geological periods, while true stoneflies are known from fossils only a bit younger. Their modern diversity, however, apparently is of Mesozoic origin.
Taeniopterygidae are a family of stone flies with about 110 described extant species. They are commonly called willowflies or winter stoneflies and have a holarctic distribution. Adults are usually smaller than 15 mm.
Arctoperlaria is a suborder of stoneflies, with a World-wide distribution. The Plecoptera Species File divides this suborder as follows:
Chloroperlidae are a family of stoneflies, commonly known as green stoneflies, with more than 200 species and 22 genera. They appear green to yellow in colour, and are popularly used among fisherman as bait for trout fishing. Green stoneflies live in the benthic zone of the cold streams and rivers of five continents and four zoogeographical regions, emerging from the water to live in the riparian zone as adults. They are sensitive to pollutants, making them an indicator species for determining the quality of water bodies. Chloroperlidae are hemimetabolous, having no pupal stage, but instead hatch from eggs as nymphs and mature directly into adults. They are omnivorous, feeding on small organisms and plant particles, and become more carnivorous as they mature. The classification of Chloroperlidae is contested, with some believing that they should be considered as members of different orders, as opposed to the order Plecoptera that they currently belong to.
Isoperla is a genus of Palaearctic and Nearctic stoneflies in the subfamily Isoperlinae and the family Perlodidae.
The Leuctridae are a family of stoneflies. They are known commonly as rolled-winged stoneflies and needleflies. This family contains at least 390 species.
Brachyptera is a genus of taeniopterygid stoneflies of mostly Western Palearctic distribution.
Stenoperla is a genus of insect in the family Eustheniidae containing a number of species of stonefly all endemic to New Zealand.
Perlodini is a tribe of Palaearctic and Nearctic stoneflies in the family Perlodidae. There are more than 80 described species in Perlodini.
Acroneuria is a genus of common stoneflies in the family Perlidae. There are more than 30 described species in Acroneuria.
Haploperla is a genus of green stoneflies in the family Chloroperlidae. There are about 17 described species in Haploperla.
Diploperlini is a tribe of springflies in the family Perlodidae. There are about 13 genera and more than 30 described species in Diploperlini.
Sweltsa is a genus of green stoneflies in the family Chloroperlidae. There are more than 50 described species in Sweltsa.
Suwallia is a genus of green stoneflies in the family Chloroperlidae. There are more than 20 described species in Suwallia.
Arcynopterygini is a tribe of springflies in the family Perlodidae. There are about 11 genera and more than 30 described species in Arcynopterygini.
Perla is a genus of common stoneflies in the family Perlidae. There are at least 30 described species in Perla.
Gripopterygidae is a family of stoneflies in the order Plecoptera. There are more than 50 genera and 320 described species in Gripopterygidae.
Styloperlidae is a family of stoneflies in the order Plecoptera. There are at least 2 genera and 9 described species in Styloperlidae. The species etymology is based on the type locality near Sapa.
Rhabdiopteryx is a genus of winter stoneflies in the family Taeniopterygidae. There are about 11 described species in Rhabdiopteryx.
Xanthoperla apicalis is a species of stoneflies in the family Chloroperlidae.
