About Pteronarcys dorsata (Say, 1823)
Pteronarcys dorsata, commonly called the American salmonfly, is a species of giant stonefly belonging to the family Pteronarcyidae. This species is native to and found across North America, and it is the largest stonefly species found on the continent. Its larvae feed on algae, while adult individuals do not feed at all. When threatened, Pteronarcys dorsata is known to either release a noxious fluid from the leg joints or feign death. This species is primarily nocturnal; adult individuals are active during the spring and summer months.
