Code QP039999

The dominant family of stoneflies (Plecoptera) in Australia. They occur also in New Zealand and in South America. Larvae occur on swift or on slow-flowing streams, less commonly in lakes and swamps, from Cape York to Tasmania and in South Australia and the south-west of Western Australia.

The larvae are distinguished at family level by a prominent tuft of hairlike gills at the caudal end of the body. However these gills may be retracted into the body, making them difficult to discern.

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.

Hynes, N.B.N. and Bunn, S.E. (1984) The stoneflies (Plecoptera) of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 32 : 97-107.

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. (1984) The species of the genus Illiesoperla McLellan (Insecta: Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 32 : 573-602.

Theischinger, G. (1985) The species of the Australian stonefly genus Riekoperla McLellan (Insecta: Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae) Australian Journal of Zoology 33 : 785-830.

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