nearsightednaturalist
Newly terrestrial
Beloved by the freshwater entomology community and anglers alike, the stoneflies (Plecoptera) are an incredible group of insects that often go unnoticed. They are one of few taxa that defy the typical latitudinal diversity gradient of increasing diversity approaching the equator - these bugs love cold water, the colder the better, so they increase in diversity at latitudes approaching the poles (Palma and Figueroa 2008). Many stoneflies are highly sensitive to water pollution, so their presence can be indicative of a healthy water body. These winter stoneflies were seen in abundance along the Winooski river on a sunny spring day.
Burlington, VT
Newly terrestrial
Beloved by the freshwater entomology community and anglers alike, the stoneflies (Plecoptera) are an incredible group of insects that often go unnoticed. They are one of few taxa that defy the typical latitudinal diversity gradient of increasing diversity approaching the equator - these bugs love cold water, the colder the better, so they increase in diversity at latitudes approaching the poles (Palma and Figueroa 2008). Many stoneflies are highly sensitive to water pollution, so their presence can be indicative of a healthy water body. These winter stoneflies were seen in abundance along the Winooski river on a sunny spring day.
Burlington, VT