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.
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).
Arctoperlaria is a suborder of stoneflies, with a World-wide distribution. The Plecoptera Species File divides this suborder as follows:
Scientific Name: Lednia tuman. Other common names: Meltwater Forestfly, Meltwater Lednian Stonefly, Némoure brumeuse.(NatureServe Explorer 2.0. . Lednia is a monotypic genus, containing the single species Lednia tumana —a rare, alpine, aquatic insect that is endangered due to likely loss of glaciers and snowpacks in the Glacier National Park and other habitat in the Rocky Mountains due to climate change. The differentiation from the other Nemourids is to look at the abdominal stremite which only the Lednia and paranemoura lack the vesicles of the 9th abdominal stermite. The insect lives in the coldest streams just downstream of the glacier or snowbank sources and is considered as an early warning indicator species of climate warming in mountain ecosystems.The way the aquatic insects in this case Lednia tumana is able to use biochemical and physiological strategies in order to dimmish cold stress which allows them to survive colder climates The Fisheries and Wildlife Service is being petitioned to protect the species under the U.S..Endangered Species Act.
The Leuctridae are a family of stoneflies. They are known commonly as rolled-winged stoneflies and needleflies. This family contains at least 390 species.
Zapada is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. There are at least 10 described species in Zapada.
Nemourinae is a subfamily of stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. Species of the Nemourinae have been recorded in the Nearctic, Palaearctic and Oriental realms.
Amphinemura is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. There are about 18 described species in Amphinemura.
Ostrocerca is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. There are about six described species in Ostrocerca.
Zapada cinctipes, the common forestfly, is a species of spring stonefly in the family Nemouridae. It is found in North America.
Capnia is a genus of small winter stoneflies in the family Capniidae. There are at least 120 described species in Capnia.
Shipsa is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Shipsa rotunda.
Nemoura is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. There are more than 190 described species in Nemoura.
Prostoia is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. There are about five described species in Prostoia.
Podmosta is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. There are about six described species in Podmosta.
Soyedina vallicularia, the valley forestfly, is a species of spring stonefly in the family Nemouridae. It is found in North America.
Zapada oregonensis, the Oregon forestfly, is a species of spring stonefly in the family Nemouridae. It is found in North America.
Paranemoura is a genus of spring stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. There are at least two described species in Paranemoura.
Nemurella is a genus of stoneflies in the family Nemouridae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Nemurella pictetii. It is found in Europe.
