Major Group: Insecta
Order: Plecoptera
Family: Gripopterygidae
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Descriptive Features: body yellow to dark greyish brown
last few abdominal segments fused into complete rings
abdomen end with a tuft of cylindrical, filiform gills, retractable so that only the tips are visible
2 caudal filaments, usually long
Total length: 4 - 21 mm
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Dinotoperla serricauda |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Genera
Cardioperla
Dinotoperla
Dundundra wanungra Theischinger
Eunotoperla kershawi Tillyard
Illiesoperla
Kirrama
Leptoperla
Neboissoperla
Nescioperla curtisae Theischinger
Newmanoperla
Riekoperla
Trinotoperla |
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Distribution: SA, Tas, Vic, NSW, E Qld, N Qld, WA, ACT
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 8
Functional Feeding Group: scrapers, shredders
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Snowy River, NSW |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Gripopterygid nymphs generally inhabit fast flowing waters. Notable exceptions are; Dinotoperla serricauda, found in a cool settlement pond, Dinotoperla evansi, found in farm dams in South Australia and Riekoperla darlingtoni, which can move into damp terrestrial habitats or burrow into the stream bank if the stream dries out. Nymphs are usually found clinging under rocks and debris.
Feeding ecology: Nymphs of all species are slow moving detritivores and herbivores, however, late instar Illiesoperla and Eunotoperla nymphs are carnivorous.
Habit:
Life history: Females lay their eggs on the surface of the water where the eggs are washed off the abdominal tip and fall to the substrata. Eggs are spherical to flattened, often with ridges around the outside. Most species are thought to have an annual life cycle with adults emerging between dusk and midnight onto boulders, logs or aquatic vegetation.
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Information Sources: Hynes 1989, Theischinger 1991, Michaelis & Yule 1997, Yule 1997, Mynott 2011, Thomas 2012, Williams 1980, Hawking & Smith 1997, Ingram et al 1997, Hynes & Bunn 1984, Sloane & Norris 2002
Key to Genera & Species: Hynes 1989 (Tas, incomplete), Yule 1997 (NSW, NVic, incomplete)
Leptoperla - Tsyrlin 2001
Riekoperla - Mynott 2011 (inc. undes. sp)
Dinotoperla - Thomas 2012 (Vic)
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