#aquaticentomology
The wingpads of Pteronarcys (Plecoptera, Pteronarcyidae). Pteronarcys are very sensitive to stress, and occur mostly in small-order streams in fast riffles. They also use autohaemorrhaging to ward off predators. Autohaemorrhaging, or reflex bleeding, is when an animal deliberately ejects blood (usually when the blood contains toxic compounds).
Plecoptera, Pteronarcyidae, Pteronarcys. Prince Brook, Oswego County, NY.
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The abdominal segments of a Pteronarcys (Plecoptera, Pteronarcyidae). Pteronarcys are very sensitive to stress, and occur mostly in small-order streams in fast riffles. They also use autohaemorrhaging to ward off predators. Autohaemorrhaging, or reflex bleeding, is when an animal deliberately ejects blood (usually when the blood contains toxic compounds).
Plecoptera, Pteronarcyidae, Pteronarcys. Prince Brook, Oswego County, NY.
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One of my favorite caddisflies. These little guys make spiral-shaped mobile homes. From Pratt’s Fall, near Syracuse, NY. (Trichoptera, Helicopsychidae, Helicopsyche)
Helicopsychidae are clingers, with the larvae living in the portable cases pictured above. Because of how similar their cases look to snail shells, this family was actually originally described as a snail. The helical shape of the case improves resistance to crushing (Voshell, JR. 2002).
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