Stonefly

Stonefly, any of approximately 1,550 species of insects of the order Plecoptera. Stoneflies range in length from 0.25 in (6 mm) to 2.5 in (60 mm). Their gray, black, or brown coloration blends with their environment. Although they have 2 pairs of wings, they do not fly well, and are often found on rocks close to the water. Females drop their eggs—up to 6,000 at a time—into small bodies of water. Fish eat many of them before they have a chance to develop into stonefly nymphs, which have gills and live in the water for 1 to 4 years before becoming adults and developing wings.