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Free keywords:
Plecoptera; Insecta; Elbe; Saxony-Anhalt; Germany; larval growth; rearing methodology; biometry; monophyly
Abstract:
Like its congeners, Taeniopteryx nebulosa (Linné) has a very early flight period. Egg development is direct and completed within about one month. Despite this, larvae are almost exclusively first recorded in autumn, so that a larval diapause like the one known for an American species appeared probable. However, we found direct development and continues larval growth when rearing T. nebulosa from eggs in the laboratory. Larval size in the laboratory colony matched size of specimens collected in the field at the same time. Growth continuous steadily over winter, bit wing pad development during the last three instars may give the incorrect impression of exceptionally fast growth. Some morphological and behavioural details supporting the monophyly of the family Taeniopterygidae are emphasized.
