Code QP029999

This family of stoneflies (Plecoptera) occurs in south-eastern Australia, also in New Zealand and in South America. The adults are of small to medium size (body 8-28 mm, forewing 4-24 mm), and are found near clear, cold streams from southern Queensland to Tasmania. The larvae live under stones, in gravel, or are associated with organic debris or logs.

Austroperlid larvae have five or seven short, beaded gill filaments on the last abdominal segment, but these sometimes may be hidden by the bases of the relatively short cerci. They should be clear in ventral view. These filaments are least conspicuous in the genus Crypturoperla (2 species in Tasmania), but these species can be distinguished from members of the gill-less family Notonemouridae by conspicuous dorso-lateral tubercles on most abdominal segments.

References:

Hynes, N.B.N. (1978) An annotated key to the nymphs of the stoneflies (Plecoptera) of the State of Victoria. Australian Society for Limnology Special Publication 2. p. 64.

Hynes, N.B.N. (1989) Tasmanian Plecoptera. Australian Society for Limnology Special Publication 8 . p. 81.

Michaelis, F.B. and Yule, C. (1988) Plecoptera. pp. 133-176. In: Houston, W.W.K. (ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia , Volume 6. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Theischinger, G. (1991) Plecoptera. pp. 311-319. In: CSIRO, Insects of Australia. Volume 1. Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria.