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Stonefly shed skin

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.

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¶ Posted 04 August 2005 § ‡ Comments (0) °

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

stonefly mary Welsh Stonefly

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.

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¶ Posted 14 June 2005 § ‡ Comments (0) °

Stonefly??

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

stonefly Stonefly??

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