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Australian Wildlife

  Stonefly (Eusthenia sp)





Stonefly | Eusthenia sp photo
Eusthenia sp. (possibly E. costalis), Marriott Falls Track, Mt Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia

Image by Noodle snacks - GNU Free Documentation License.    (view image details)







STONEFLY FACTS

Identification
There are about six species of Eusthenia, a genus of stoneflies confined to Tasmania. Stoneflies are fairly soft bodied insects with large compound eyes, long antennae with multiple segments and chewing mouthparts. The legs are strong and have two claws. Both nymphs and adults have a pair of long cerci like tails from the tip of their abdomen.

Habitat
freshwater in lakes and streams

Breeding
large number of eggs are deposited underwater in a layer attached to a rock. The eggs hatch into aquatic nymphs with gills for living underwater

Range
The species shown here may be Eusthenia costalis, a species found in upland areas of north west Tasmania including Cradle Mountain area.



Classification
Class:Insecta
Order:Plecoptera
Family:Eustheniidae
Genus:Eusthenia
Species:sp
Common Name:Stonefly