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What is it?
Hi
I took a pic of an insect that appears to be skeletal remains that had been on a rock near a river. I have no idea what type of bug it is. I used a super macro shot on it. The actual size is about 1/2". Looking forward to hearing from you,
Deb
Hi Deb,
This is the exoskeleton of a Stonefly. The larvae are known as naiads and they are aquatic.
not a grasshopper or mayfly?
What the heck is this? I live in Alberta Canada, and can’t for the life of me figure out what this is!
Thanks in advance!
Chris
Hi Chris,
This is a Giant Stonefly in the family Pteronarcyidae. They are sometimes called Salmonflies. The only way we could get your photos on our homepage was to photograph them with a digital camera on the computer screen from the email as we were not able to open the png file. Hence the quality is rather poor.
Caddisflies
Dear bugman,,
I have what appears to caddisflies all over my house. I have a large woods(over 100 acres) behind my house there is a stream 100 feets from my house and a pond about 100 yards from my house. There are thousands covering my house. Do you have any idea what to do with them. Unfortunately, Iam not a fly fisherman.
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
These are not Caddisflies, but Stoneflies, Order Plecoptera. We are baffled why, having a stream and a pond, you don’t fish. Your Stoneflies are seasonal and some years there are population explosions. Soon enough, they will be gone for another year.
stonefly
Hey,
What kind of stonefly is this? He’s about an inch and a half. I caught him in february in central pennsylvania. I put him in rubbing alchohol for long term studying and he didn’t die untill the next day. Thats one tough stone. Please email me back when you get a chance. Aquatic insects are fantastic!!!
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
This is a Common Stonefly Naiad in the Family Perlidae.
Bugs seen only in Winter snow
Hello Bugman,
My son is very interested in identifying a bug that we see each winter in the snow. I have attached two pictures – one against a ruler. The insect has 6 legs, two long antenna and two things off the back (two tails?). It’s approx. 1/2 inch in length. Please help!
Thanks – Kevin and Stephen Crowley
Dear Crowleys,
We are always very excited to get new species for our site, but even more excited to get new families. This is a type of Stonefly, Order Plecoptera, known as the Snowfly or Winter Stonefly, Family Capniidae, probably the genus Allocapnia. We located photos on Bugguide, but there wasn’t much information, so we decided to search further. Sadly our search was in vain as there seem to be photos and maps, but not much in the way of text. If you find any additional links, perhaps you can contact us with the information.
I found a website with some further information on stoneflies. I hope this helps.
Yvonne
Bugs of VT
I have photos of some insects that were taken in Southern Vt. near Albany, NY. I didn’t take the photos but I’m supposed to name them. I hope you can help. 2 Photos Attached. Sincerely, mrsvgrant
Hi Mrs V Grant,
Your one photo shows a Stink Bug or Shield Bug in the family Pentatomidae. The other insect, and the one we are interested in posting, is a fabulous photo of a Giant Stonefly in the family Pteronarcyidae which includes the giant salmonflies famous among flyfishers. The giant stonefly of the East and Midwest can be either Pteronarcys dorsata or Pteronarcys picteti. Sadly, we have not been able to determine which species you have as internet information is sketchy. More information can be found on the American Stonefly Page which has an image that matches yours but is not correctly identified. The range map of P. dorsata includes many areas around Vermont, though Vermont is not listed. P. pictetii ranges relatively far from Vermont, being concentrated in the Midwest. By process of elimination, we believe you have Pteronarcys dorsata.
Stonefly and Hellgrammite
I noticed that on your website that you did not have any pictures of the Common Stonefly adult or a Dobsonfly Larvae. I have included a picture of each for your records.
Chad
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| Stonefly | Hellgrammites |
Hi Chad,
Thanks for the images. You must be a fisherman with all those Hellgrammites for bait. We actually have a Hellgrammite page seperate from our Dobsonfly page. The Common Stonefly looks like one of the Green-Winged Stoneflies in the Family Isoperlidae.
what is this bug/water beetle and this shed husk?
I found these in Arizona in the Pinetop-Lakeside area. Thanks,
glen b.
Hi Glen,
This is the shed skin of a Stonefly naiad left after it crawled out of the water and began life as a winged adult.
What is this bug?
Dear Bugman,
I am really impressed with your swift reply and you certainly have helped. Here is my next mystery – well not for you probably but certainly for a novice like me. Found near the pond, well originally on a pond leaf. I am wondering is it a stonefly as it seems to have many of the characteristics of the stonefly nymph which are numerous in our pond.
Diolch yn fawr
Thank you
Mary.
Cynon Valley, South Wales
Hi again Mary,
Sure looks like a Stonefly to us. They belong to the order Plecoptera and are generally found near rapidly running streams or wave-washed lakes. Perhaps your European species favor calmer waters. The naiads are common under stones, hence the common name.
Good morning,
I’ve had a keckuva time identifying this insect I saw yesterday (February 29) in hordes flying above a freshwater creek in Maryland. Any idea? Sorry it’s a blurry picture, it’s the best I could do. The insect has two dark bands. They were doing lots of flying and appeared to be dropping into the water from above and then skittering across the surface of the water by flapping their wings. They were about 3/4" not including their antennae.
Thanks a lot!
Vicki
Dear Vicki,
I believe you are absolutely right in your identification of a Stonefly, Plecoptera species. There are some 200 species of Stoneflies. Often adults appear in great numbers in the spring. They are poor fliers and are seldom found far from water. They lay their eggs in the water and the nymphs are aquatic. Thank you for providing a photo of our first stonefly for a new page.
Dear Daniel,
Thanks so much for writing back! You have a great web site and I’ve really enjoyed it. With 200 species of stoneflies, you could see how I needed an expert eye. I saw the flies while kayaking on Tuckahoe Creek on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The highlight of my day, though (other than seeing an otter) was finding a cocoon of a Polyphemus Moth, which I took a picture of and left to dangle patiently on its limb for a few more months.
Thanks very much again!
Vicki
