Life Cycle of the Plecoptera
The stonefly has a life cycle similar to that of an upwinged fly except
that there is only one winged adult stage.
Nymphs
Stonefly nymphs have two tails, and so they can be
immediately distinguished from the three-tailed nymphs of the upwinged
flies.
Adult stoneflies
Stoneflies generally hatch by crawling out onto stones in
shallow water or up emerging vegetation. This method of hatching is not an
easy antic to mimic without the artificial fly getting snagged on the
bottom. The adult stoneflies are therefore of greatest importance to
flyfishers.
Most of the stoneflies of early and late season are dark brown or grey,
often with a yellowish tinge to the underside of the body. Apart from the
dark stoneflies, there are also two very common summer species with yellow
wings and a few others with mottled brown wings.
After mating, the female stonefly lays her eggs, either by dropping
them on to the water or by dipping down to the surface. Spent stoneflies
often struggle and sink below the surface film; perhaps that is why some
of the most effective imitations are tied in a spidery wet fly style.
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