The life history and ecology of the stonefly Paragnetina media (Walker) was studied intensively at Doe Run, Meade Co., Ky., between September 1965 and August 1966. Nymphs of P. media were almost entirely carnivorous in their feeding habits; adults do not feed. Immature stages of aquatic insects (mainly Baetis vagans, Hydropsyche sp., Cheumatopsyche sp. and chironomids) comprised the most abundant food items in the diet of stonefly nymphs. The percentage of empty stomachs reached its highest levels in December and July. Length- frequency distributions indicate that nymphs require 2 years to complete the life cycle. Mature nymphs were found in the stream in April and May. Emergence began early in May and reached its peak in mid-July. The chi-square test was applied to 477 nymphs and no significant de- parture from the 1: 1 sex ratio at the 0.05 level was observed. Total egg counts ranged from 394 to 1296 per female; the average number of eggs was 802.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Tarter et al. (1971) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched one closely related paper. Consider it for comparative context: