[Sandy Nelson]

This afternoon I watched a Stonefly begin its emergence from its nymph. I spent 3 hours watching it and then had to go home.
I had no idea it took so long for them to break out of the body. I did get a few step by step photos up to the point where I had to go home. would have been nice to see the whole thing, but 3 hours was enough even for my patience

[Mike Barrio]

Interesting stuff Sandy, you've certainly got more patience than me!

What were the river levels like today?

[Sandy Nelson]

Water levels were a touch too high and it was still a touch dark (export colour)
I think tomorrow and Sunday will prove to be rather good, all being well

[Kerry Jordan]

Fascinating for sure. Wondering if there was something wrong with it as 3 plus hours seems a long time to remain stationary and so vulnerable to predation.

[Sandy Nelson]

Kerry
Apparently its a nymph for an Orange Striped Stonefly and they usually Hatch at night and it can take many hours for them to emerge.
So it was unusual to see one starting during the day.(info courtesy of Craig Macadam at Buglife)

Today while I was out I was visited by an adult Orange striped Stonefly who came for a photo shoot, so we can see what the nymph would eventually turn into.
Looks pretty different given it seemed really yellow during its emergence. .