Lackawanna River Corridor Association Lackawanna River Stoneflies Order: Plecoptera Key features two long, stiff tails three pairs of legs two claws per tarsi (leg) size range: 3/16-1 1/4"

  Stoneflies are structurally similar to mayflies, except that stoneflies have two tails instead of three. They also appear somewhat less fragile than mayflies, because they have a more rigid looking body. They are often yellowish and brown or black in color and may be brilliantly patterned. Stoneflies are generally predators on other smaller macroinvertebrates or "shredders" of plant material, chewing up larger pieces of plants into smaller ones. They can be found clinging on the top of or underneath stones and plant material.

  Stoneflies are pollution sensitive organisms that are found in the uppermost reaches of the River downstream through the Mid Valley. Occasionally a few stoneflies are found as far downstream as Scranton. To date no stonefly has been found in the River downstream of South Scranton, a reflection of their sensitivity to pollution. Organisms within the Perlidae family are the most common stonefly in the River and are the ones that have been found in Scranton. The others pictured here have primarily been observed only within more upstream reaches of the River.

	Family: Perlidae Genus: Paragnetia (early instar)
	Family: Perlidae Genus: Paragnetia (late instar)
	Family: Perlidae Genus Agnetia
	Family: Leuctridae Genus: Leuctra
	Family: Perlodidae Genus: Isoperla
	Family: Nemouridae Genus: Amphinemura
	Family: Taeniopterygidae Genus: Taeniopteryx