LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF ACRONEURIA 
CAROLINENSIS (BANKS) IN PANTHER CREEK, 
NICHOLAS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA 
(PLECOPTERA: PERLIDAE)* 
By D. A. Schmidt and D. C. Tarter 
Department of Biological Sciences 
Marshall University 
Huntington, WV 25701 
Introduction 
Life history information is important to sampling techniques and 
taxonomy, production, feeding, bioassay, environmental disturb- 
ance and management studies. There is a basic lack of life history 
information that is needed by researchers and resource managers 
(Rosenberg, 1979). 
Stoneflies are an important part of the stream ecosystem and are 
useful as water quality indicators. Few studies concerning the life 
histories of Acroneuria spp. have been carried out. Siegfried and 
Knight (1978) studied the life history of Acroneuria ( Calineuria ) 
californica Banks. Most other ecological data has been limited to A. 
abnormis and A. lycorias and concentrates on specific areas such as 
food habits, drift and predator-prey relations. 
The objective of this investigation was to describe the life history 
of Acroneuria carolinensis with specific reference to: 1) naiad age 
and growth, 2) sex ratio, 3) food preference and 4) emergence. 
Taxonomy and Distribution 
lilies (1966) presented a review of the taxonomic changes of 
Acroneuria carolinensis. Acroneuria carolinensis was first described 
as a new species by Banks (1905) as Perla carolinensis from Black 
Mountain, North Carolina. In 1918, Navas placed it in another 
genus calling the insect Nostura carolinensis. Ricker (1935) assigned 
new nomenclature and designated the insect as Acroneuria custae. 
Claassen (1940) restored the specific name thus recognizing Acro- 
neuria carolinensis as valid. 
* Manuscript received by the editor August 5, 1985 
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