Code QP019999

This family of stoneflies (Plecoptera) occurs in eastern Australia, also in New Zealand and in Chile. The adults are large and colourful with black or coloured wings. Several species have shortened wings and are not capable of flight. Eustheniid adults are found along the banks of streams and lakes.

The larvae have paired abdominal gills on segments 1-5 (Sternoperlinae: Sternoperla) or on segments 1-6 (Eustheniinae: Eusthenia , Thaumatoperla . This causes them to look a little like some ephemeropteran (mayfly) larvae.

The genus Stenoperla has 5 species distributed from Cape York to southern Victoria and 2 species in New Zealand. Eusthenia has 6 species in Tasmania, Victoria and south eastern NSW. Thaumatoperla has 4 species in Victoria.

The distinguishing features of Eustheniidae are: (i) antennae much longer than the head (they are relatively short in most mayflies), (ii) no abdominal gills on segments 7-10 (always some in any stonefly-like mayfly), and (iii) only two long terminating filaments (cerci) not three (as in all stonefly-like mayflies).

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. (1983) The genus Stenoperla McLachlan in Australia (Insecta: Plecoptera: Eustheniidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 31 : 541-556.

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

Zwick, P. (1979) Revision of the stonefly family Eustheniidae (Plecoptera), with emphasis on the fauna of the Australian region. Aquatic Insects 1 : 179-184.