What is this insect? - Ask Extension
Hello- I am the library manager at the Siletz Public Library. A patron brought in this photo wanting to identify it. She saw it in a wooded area near ...
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What is this insect? #789503
Asked May 05, 2022, 6:24 PM EDT
Hello- I am the library manager at the Siletz Public Library. A patron brought in this photo wanting to identify it. She saw it in a wooded area near her home in the Logsden area.
Lincoln County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Carol,
How exciting! That is a great find of a very nice insect!
That is an adult of a kind of stonefly (Order: Plecoptera) called a salmonfly (a Pteronarcys species). The young stages of salmonflies live in streams and rivers with good water quality. And as their common name implies, they are a favorite food of salmon and trout.
Adult stoneflies, including salmonflies, are short-lived, and are basically out and about to fly to new habitats and to find mates for reproduction. They might feed on a bit of nectar or drink water, but otherwise they do not feed.
Even though salmonflies are large, and thus perhaps intimidating, they are gentle giants that will not bite or cause any damage. They are an important, natural part of our environment. Their young stages help by feeding on and cleaning up leaves that drop into streams and rivers, and they provide an important food resource for the native fish we love.
Enjoy!
How exciting! That is a great find of a very nice insect!
That is an adult of a kind of stonefly (Order: Plecoptera) called a salmonfly (a Pteronarcys species). The young stages of salmonflies live in streams and rivers with good water quality. And as their common name implies, they are a favorite food of salmon and trout.
Adult stoneflies, including salmonflies, are short-lived, and are basically out and about to fly to new habitats and to find mates for reproduction. They might feed on a bit of nectar or drink water, but otherwise they do not feed.
Even though salmonflies are large, and thus perhaps intimidating, they are gentle giants that will not bite or cause any damage. They are an important, natural part of our environment. Their young stages help by feeding on and cleaning up leaves that drop into streams and rivers, and they provide an important food resource for the native fish we love.
Enjoy!
