The Plecoptera are 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.
Hemimetabolism or hemimetaboly, also called incomplete metamorphosis and paurometabolism, is the mode of development of certain insects that includes three distinct stages: the egg, nymph, and the adult stage, or imago. These groups go through gradual changes; there is no pupal stage. The nymph often has a thin exoskeleton and resembles the adult stage but lacks wings and functional reproductive organs. The hemimetabolous insects differ from ametabolous taxa in that the one and only adult instar undergoes no further moulting.
The Peltoperlidae, also known as roach-like stoneflies or roachflies, are a family of stoneflies.
Eusthenia nothofagi is a species of stonefly in the family Eustheniidae. It is endemic to Australia, where its range is restricted to Victoria. It is known only from the Otway Ranges and its common name is the Otway stonefly.
Eusthenia is a genus of insect in the family Eustheniidae containing a number of species of stonefly most native to Tasmania. It contains the following species: E. brachyptera is considered a subspecies of E. venosa and Eusthenia extensa or Eusthenia purpurescens are considered E. costalis.
The Nemouridae are a family of stoneflies containing more than 700 described species, occurring primarily in the Holarctic region. Members of this family are commonly known as spring stoneflies or brown stoneflies. Fly fishermen often refer to these insects as tiny winter blacks.
The Capniidae, the small winter stoneflies, are a family of insects in the stonefly order (Plecoptera). It constitutes one of the largest stonefly families, containing some 300 species distributed throughout the holarctic. Their closest relatives are the rolled-winged stoneflies (Leuctridae).
Claudio Gilberto Froehlich is a Brazilian zoologist.
Stenoperla is a genus of insect in the family Eustheniidae containing a number of species of stonefly all endemic to New Zealand.
Skwala is a genus of springflies in the family Perlodidae. There are about five described species in Skwala.
Perlodinae is a subfamily of springflies in the family Perlodidae. There are at least 20 genera and 60 described species in Perlodinae.
Paragnetina is a genus of common stoneflies in the family Perlidae. There are at least 20 described species in Paragnetina.
Austroperlidae is a family of stoneflies in the order Plecoptera. There are about 10 genera and 15 described species in Austroperlidae.
Diamphipnoidae is a family of stoneflies in the order Plecoptera. There are at least two genera and about nine described species in Diamphipnoidae.
Gripopterygidae is a family of stoneflies in the order Plecoptera. There are more than 50 genera and 320 described species in Gripopterygidae.
Notonemouridae is a family of stoneflies in the order Plecoptera. There are more than 20 genera and at least 120 described species in Notonemouridae.
Siphonoperla torrentium is a species of stoneflies in family Chloroperlidae.
Xanthoperla apicalis is a species of stoneflies in family Chloroperlidae.
Thaumatoperla is a genus of insect in the family Eustheniidae containing four species of stonefly, all endemic to the Victorian alpine area of Australia.
Thaumatoperla alpina is a species of stonefly in the genus Thaumatoperla, and are the largest Australian stonefly. They are endemic to the Bogong High Plains area of the Victorian alps, Australia.
