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Characteristics of Plecopterans
Examples Stoneflies
Wings 4; Fore wings narrow, and Hind wings with a large lobe
Mouth Parts Chewing
Usual Number of Tarsal Segments 3
Metamorphosis Simple Metamorphosis, with aquatic nymphs
Usual Size Medium
Where usually found Near water

Stoneflies are characterized as having long, flat bodies with four membraneous wings. Their hind wings are always shorter and almost always have an anal lobe. They have long, threadlike antennae, and long, many-segmented cerci.

The only importance of Stoneflies for the enviroment is that they are food for fish.

Most stoneflies are found near water as they are poor fliers. Many of them are nocturnal, resting on various surfaces during the day. Most of them mate and reproduce in the summer time, though some mate in the fall and winter months instead.

Order Plecoptera is composed of two suborders, which are seperated mainly by the structure of their mouth-parts. These suborders are Systellognatha and Holognatha.