“Rolled-winged Stoneflies”
Genus Overview
Not much is known about the life history of these larvae. Only 9 of the 26 species in North America are well described by science. Most are detritivorous shredders, like other shredders it is thought that they don’t get nutrients directly from the decaying leaves they eat, but from the periphyton and fungi growing on the leaves. Some may also be facultative collector-gatherers. They can be found in lotic-erosional and depositional habitats, usually preferring riffles. Typically, when found in small streams they are semivoltine (completing less than one generation per year), and in large warm streams they are univoltine (completing one generation per year). Generally, species of Leuctra are intolerant of pollution, but some species can tolerate low pH (very acid) conditions.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 0.7
Mid-Atlantic: 0
0 = least tolerant, 10 = most tolerant
FEEDING HABITS
Collector / Gatherer
Shredder / Detritivore
Shredder / Detritivore
MOVEMENT
Clinger
Sprawler
Sprawler
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-erosional
Lotic-erosional
Diagnostic Characters
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