Peltoperlidae

Taxobox
name = Peltoperlidae


image_caption =
image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
infraclassis = Neoptera
ordo = Plecoptera
subordo = Arctoperlaria
familia = Peltoperlidae
familia_authority =
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision =See text

Peltoperlidae, also known as "roachlike stoneflies" or "roachflies", are a family of stoneflies.

The family Peltoperlidae comprises 6 genera and 18 known species [Cite book |author=Richard W. Merritt & Kenneth W. Cummins |title=An Introduction to the aquatic insects of North America, 3rd ed. |publisher=Kendall Hunt, Dubuque, Iowa |year=1996 |id=ISBN 0-8403-7588-3] . Species are semivoltine, meaning that their life cycle is composed of 1 to 2 years. Adults of the family usually emerge in late spring or early summer, April through June. Larvae are flattened and brown in color, they are roachlike in appearance because of the expanded thoracic plates that cover the bases of the legs, head and abdomen cite book |author=J. R. Voshell |title=A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America |publisher=McDonald and Woodward, Blacksburg, Virginia |year=2002 |id=ISBN 0-93992-387-4] . There are tapering gills on the thorax at the bases of the legs. These tracheal gills are multifunctional and key to many biological processes. There are no dense tufts or branching gills on the thorax or abdomen.

Peltoperlidae are generally lotic erosional and depositional. These habitats are flowing streams that are marked by sediments, vascular plants and detritus. Roachlike stoneflies are generally found in leaf litter and debris piles either trapped in riffles or pools.

This family is considered to be clingers-sprawlers. This means that they attach to surface in erosional habitats or rest loosely on the top surfaces of substrates respectively. The body of this stonefly is flattened and streamline to aid in minimizing water resistance in a flowing stream.

Peltoperlidae are classified as in the feeding group shredders-detritivores. They chew and mine through leaf litter which is seen in their habitat. They are a significant contributor to leaf breakdown in streams. This family is very sensitive to disturbances in environmental conditions. They are intolerant to loss of coarse particulate organic matter for food and habitat.

Genera

References