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Order Plecoptera
Stoneflies exhibit unusual courting behavior. Males and females locate one another through a series of acoustic signals known as drumming. Stoneflies drum by tapping, rubbing, or scraping their abdomens on a rock or log. The pair continues to drum, gradually moving closer until they finally meet, and mate. The drumming signals are only attractive to individuals of the same species, and so are species specific. These stoneflies were so hard to get a shot of because their bodies were so contorted and entwined. The male is on the top, and has his abdomen curved around and down. The last shot shows a stonefly that appears to be the same species and was a couple feet away from the mating pair.
Spotted on a bridge that crosses a river in a mostly deciduous forest.
Note the small red mite on the female's abdomen.
6 Comments
Your welcome, Christine....
Thank you for your comments Hari and maplemoth :)
Four, very beautiful, very interesting, and very educational photos....
Excellent ! You are a keen observer, Christine.
Thanks :)
Loved the register and all the information given. Thank you so much for sharing!
Kind regards from Brazil.