Aspects of the Life History and Growth of Acroneuria (Calineuria) californica in a Sierra Foothill Stream1

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Abstract
Aspects of the life history and growth of Acroneuria (Calineuria) californica Banks (Plecoptera: Perlidae) were studied in Squirrel Creek, Nevada County, California. Numerical standing crop ranged from 159 nymphs/m2 (in Aug. 1973) to 4 nymphs/m2 (in Nov. 1973). The Nov. minimum coincided with the onset of the rainy winter season. Nymphal life was ca. 18 months. Emergence was observed from late April through June. Eggs were laid in May and June but did not begin to hatch until the following Jan. The loss of larger nymphs during winter washouts is reflected in growth curves. Annual production, obtained by the instantaneous-growth method, was 2.26 g dry weight/m2/year, with an annual turnover ratio of 4.21. Cohort turnover, calculated from the life-history instantaneous-growth rate, was estimated at 6.5.