Food and mouthpart morphology of the nymphs of several Australian Plecoptera

Abstract

The diets of 19 species of Australian Plecoptera from the families Eustheniidae, Gripopterygidae and Austroperlidae are discussed. The eustheniids Stenoperla australis, Eusthenia venosa and Thaumatoperla alpina are predominantly carnivorous but they also ingest plant material. Their mouthparts are of the carnivorous type. The gripopterygids Illiesoperla australis and Eunotoperla kershawi are omnivorous; their mouthparts show similarities with both the carnivorous and phytophagous types. Trinotoperla irrorata, Trinotoperla nivata, Trinotoperla yeoi, Dinotoperla serricauda, Dinotoperla arenaria, Leptoperla kimminsi, Leptoperla bifida and Riekoperla rugosa are detritivore-herbivores. Neboissoperla alpina and Riekoperla williamsi consume detritus. The mouthparts of these species are of the phytophagous type. The austroperlids Acruroperla atra, Austropentura victoria, Austroheptura neboissi and Austroheptura picta are detritivores, consuming woodchips and detritus. Their mandibles have grinding prosthecae. Their guts contain an unidentified protozoan-like organism, which seems to be associated with the ingestion of woodchips.