stonefly

[ stohn-flahy ]

noun

, plural stone·flies.

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.

stonefly

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stonefly¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stonefly¹

C15: so called because its larvae live under stones in rivers

Example Sentences

Crucially, the data show that families that are particularly sensitive to river pollution, like mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies, are recovering most strongly of all.

From Science Daily

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

With that insight, she got permission from King County to seed four creeks with caddisflies, mayflies, stoneflies and other species.

From Scientific American

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

From Washington Post

Since the forests burned, little winged insects called stoneflies have changed as well, researchers have found.

From New York Times