Perlid Stonefly Nymph (exuvia)

Description:

I was walking the shore of the North Saskatchewan River, when I came across an eerie scene: An arthropod had moulted its exoskeleton leaving nothing behind but an emptied "husk". It was really cool to see the critter snuggly fit between sharp thorns, and grasping on for what I'd imagine to be a painful moulting. I am by no means an expert on identifying arthropods, their diversity makes that quite a challenge - nevertheless, with the help of fellow PN members, we've decided on the Perlid Stonefly Nymph, Calineuria californica!

Habitat:

Stoneflies, like mayflies, can often be found new bodies of freshwater, which are utilized as mating grounds. These organisms typically hatch "en masse" (all together), which helps to satiate predation by overwhelming predators.

Notes:

In the Phylum Arthropoda, molting is a widespread phenomenon. It involves replacing old with new -- like snakes shedding skin, or birds/mammals seasonal plumage/coats. However, in the case of Arthropods, it can be so rigorous, that it can result in death. Arthropods molt their exoskeletons; the tough, primary structural component of their body that is typically made of a polysaccharide called chitin. An arthropods exoskeleton isn't confined to the outside of its body, though... Body parts like their "lungs" may also be lined with exoskeleton. (For information on the jolting process, please see this link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecdysis#Insects)