This stonefly (Order: Plecoptera) ran out in front of me on the trail last weekend. It was one of the warmest days of the year so far (7 C, 44 F) so I was hoping to see some insect activity. This one was very active and I could barely keep up with it running across the snow, but it did pause long enough on the tip of my finger to get a good picture of its wings. Stoneflies have the scientific name Plecoptera (pleco-, folded or plaited; -ptera,wing), which refers to the way that the adult's hindwing is folded beneath the forewing.
Stonefly larvae (AKA nymphs) live under the water where they eat algae, plants, or other insects. The adults emerge at different times of year depending on what species they are. I'm pretty sure this adult is a winter stonefly (Family: Taeniopterygidae). They tend to emerge from January to April. Insects have some amazing abilities when it comes to surviving and remaining active when temperatures are very cold.
Stonefly adults are one of the few insects you will see in a cold winter day, but I think this one is a sign that spring is on its way!
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