Perlodidae


The Perlodidae, also known as the perlodid stoneflies, stripetails, or springflies, are a family of stoneflies.

Natural history

The family Perlodidae is composed of at least 50 genera and over 350 species, with the fossil records extending at least from the Triassic. The majority of perlodid stoneflies are univoltine - one generation occurs per year. Usually, adults emerge from April to June. Many species have an egg diapause during the warmer months; this allows them to inhabit otherwise unfriendly environments like temporary seeps or streams. Larvae have flattened bodies, often with patterns on their heads and thoraces, long tails, and divergent hind wing pads. Unlike the similar common stoneflies, perlodid larvae do not have branching gills on their thoraces. The perlodids are found throughout North America.

Habit and habitat

The Perlodidae are generally lotic and lentic erosional. These habitats are flowing streams or pools that contain sediments, vascular plants, and detritus. They are most often found in cool, clear streams with rocky bottoms. They are found under rocks and in coarse particulate organic matter where many prey are to be found. The larvae are generally considered to be clingers as can be seen by their wide stance for gripping substrates.

Functional feeding group

The perlodid larvae are mostly predators that engulf their prey, although a few species are scrapers and collector-gatherers. They will eat a variety of small invertebrates, but they are also known to eat plant matter, especially when young.

Genera

Selected genera in the two subfamilies include:
;IsoperlinaeCalliperla Banks, 1948Cascadoperla Szczytko & Stewart, 1979Cosumnoperla Szczytko & Bottorff, 1987Clioperla Needham & Claassen, 1925Isoperla Banks, 1906Kaszabia Raušer, 1968Cosumnoperla Szczytko & Bottorff, 1987
;PerlodinaeAfroperlodes Miron & Zwick, 1973Arcynopteryx Klapálek, 1904Baumannella Stark & Stewart, 1985Besdolus Ricker, 1952Bulgaroperla Raušer, 1966Chernokrilus Ricker, 1952Cultus Ricker, 1952Dictyogenus Klapálek, 1904Diploperla Needham & Claassen, 1925Diura Billberg, 1820Filchneria Klapálek, 1908Frisonia Ricker, 1943Guadalgenus Stark & Gonzalez del Tanago, 1986Hedinia Navás, 1936Helopicus Ricker, 1952Hemimelaena Klapálek, 1907Hydroperla Frison, 1935Isogenoides Klapálek, 1912Isogenus Newman, 1833Kogotus Ricker, 1952Levanidovia Teslenko & Zhiltzova, 1989Malirekus Ricker, 1952Megaperlodes Yokoyama, Isobe & Yamamoto, 1990Megarcys Klapálek, 1912Neofilchneria Zwick, 1973Neowuia Li & Murányi, 2017Oconoperla Stark & Stewart, 1982Oroperla Needham, 1933Osobenus Ricker, 1952Ostrovus Ricker, 1952Perlinodes Needham & Claassen, 1925Perlodes Banks, 1903Perlodinella Klapálek, 1912Pictetiella Illies, 1966Protarcys Klapálek, 1912Pseudomegarcys Kohno, 1946Rauserodes Zwick, 1999Remenus Ricker, 1952Rickera Jewett, 1954Salmoperla Baumann & Lauck, 1987Setvena Ricker, 1952Skwala Ricker, 1943Sopkalia Ricker, 1952Stavsolus Ricker, 1952Susulus Bottorff & Stewart, 1989Tadamus Ricker, 1952Yugus Ricker, 1952Zhiltzovaia Özdikmen, 2008
;Extinct, incertae sedis
  • † Derancheperla Sinitshenkova, 1990
  • † Isoperlodes Sinitshenkova, 1992