Ebony Salmonfly
Pteronarcys princeps
This record describes Pteronarcys princeps (species). Recorded family: Pteronarcyidae. Recorded order: Plecoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Mature nymphs have blunt corners on their pronotum and evenly rounded wing pads
Wikipedia reference for Pteronarcys princeps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteronarcys_princeps.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Plecoptera (Stoneflies)
- Superfamily
- Pteronarcyoidea
- Family
- Pteronarcyidae (Giant Stoneflies)
- Genus
- Pteronarcys (Giant Stoneflies)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Nymphs in small streams, unlike many other members of the genus
Geographic Range
w. NA (sw.BC-CA-UT) map ; recorded in BC CA ID NV OR UT WA
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pteronarcys princeps (Banks 1907)
About Stoneflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Plecoptera, the group containing Pteronarcys princeps. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Plecoptera (stoneflies) includes ~3,700 described species. Stonefly nymphs are among the most pollution-sensitive aquatic insects - they require cold, clean, well-oxygenated running water to survive.
Ecological role of the group
Stonefly nymphs are important shredders of leaf litter in streams, breaking down organic material and making nutrients available to other organisms. Adults are a key food source for trout and are widely imitated in fly fishing.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Stoneflies are considered the gold standard bioindicator for water quality monitoring worldwide. Their absence from a stream is one of the strongest signals of pollution or environmental degradation.
Recorded sources for this group: EPA, freshwater ecology research, fly fishing industry. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ebony Salmonfly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Ebony Salmonfly
What is Ebony Salmonfly?
Ebony Salmonfly (Pteronarcys princeps) is a species in the family Pteronarcyidae, within the order Plecoptera.
How do you identify Ebony Salmonfly?
Mature nymphs have blunt corners on their pronotum and evenly rounded wing pads
Where is Ebony Salmonfly found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Nymphs in small streams, unlike many other members of the genus |
| Range | w. NA (sw.BC-CA-UT) map ; recorded in BC CA ID NV OR UT WA |