stonefly

American  

[stohn-flahy] / ˈstoʊnˌflaɪ /

noun

plural

stoneflies

1. any of numerous dull-colored primitive aquatic insects of the order Plecoptera, having a distinctive flattened body shape: a major food source for game fish, especially bass and trout, which makes them popular as models for fishing flies.

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stonefly British  

/ ˈstəʊnˌflaɪ /

noun

1. any insect of the order Plecoptera, in which the larvae are aquatic, living beneath stones, and the adults have long antennae and two pairs of large wings and occur near water

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Etymology

Origin of stonefly

First recorded in 1400–50, stonefly is from late Middle English ston flie. See stone, fly ¹

Example Sentences

Overlooking the orchards is “Indicator Species,” a silvery, 35-foot-tall kinetic sculpture of a Plecoptera nymph, commonly known as a stonefly, sculpted by Ela Lamblin, as a gathering point for communal celebrations.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

Experts say they also worry about the giant stonefly, whose presence in streams is a sign of high water quality.

From Washington Post • Oct. 22, 2021

In March 2017, during the season when the River Dee is at its coldest and deepest and stonefly nymphs are large, he put on chest waders and went in.

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2020

"The Environment Agency, as it was then known, were carrying out regular sampling of the river when they stumbled across this stonefly," said Clare Dinham, of conservation charity Buglife.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2020

Even in the second year after DDT enters a stream, a foraging salmon parr would have trouble finding anything more than an occasional small stonefly.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson