Aquatic Ecosystem
... Study on one of these organisms. The one I chose was the Stonefly Nymph. Firstly I had to Identify the scientific name of the Stonefly Nymph. My conclusion was that it was called Plecoptera. This name comes from the Greek words “Pleco” meaning folded and “ptera” meaning wing. The mane comes from the insect’s pleated hind wings that fold under the front wings when it is resting. The Life Cycle of the Stonefly Nymph Stonefly Nymph have three stages in the life cycle. They are Spinner, Nymph and Adult. The cycle starts of where the Adults lays its eggs. The eggs are laid on land rather than water this is to protect their eggs from hungry fish. Some eggs are coated with a sticky slime that adheres to rocks and keeps the eggs from washing away in fast moving water. After the eggs hatch, the tiny nymphs feed on algae and rotting vegetation. As they grow nymphs moult often more than a dozen times before they become adults. Some nymphs take a year to become adults, some take two years. Adults emerge near the edge of the stream, sometimes when the ice has just melted. Most appear to emerge at night. After emerging the adults fly. In some species the adults feed and in others they don’t. the non-feeding species emerge with fu...