2014 - new arrivals

In New England, some of the first emergers of the year show up in mid to late February. Two years ago, we observed stoneflies on the Swift River as early as February 14. This year, similar reports have come in from the Swift, and observations of little winter stoneflies (probably Capniidae family) were recorded for the Hoosic River (Williamstown, MA) on February 22 (with earlier anecdotal reports), and near the mouth of Hop Brook, on Quabbin Reservoir on March 2. The critters don't seem at all fazed by the foot or more of snow that covered the ground, right to the riverbanks. As the Hoosic River 2/22/14 images show (check the observations pages), they were quite active; mating and producing eggs.

Posted on March 6, 2014 08:13 PM by jerry2000