The largest of the Australian stoneflies, the Alpine Stonefly’s final instar (growth stage) nymphs reach 49 mm in length, excluding antennae and cerci (the paired appendage on the rear-most segment). Early stages of the nymphs have greenish gills and a green abdomen. Larger specimens are green-brown in colour, with a red tinge on the pronotum (the upper surface of the first thoracic segment). There can be some patterning on the pronotum (dorsal sclerite (hard part) of the prothorax), and the abdominal gills are creased. Adults are similar in size to the final instar nymphs, with light green to yellow-grey abdomens and blue-black wings. The pronotum and leg sockets around the thorax are orange to orange-red. There is a large black spot in the centre of the pronotum. Although they have wings, the adults are largely flightless.
Alpine Stonefly |
Thaumatoperla alpina
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
Close all
-
Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Thaumatoperla alpina
Climate change is a potential threat to the Alpine Stonefly.
Climate change may also result in an increase in the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Changes to the current fire regimes are a potential threat to the species.
Increased fire intervals or intensity may result in increased stream sediment from ground runoff and a decline in water quality; the loss of streamside vegetation and associated increase in water temperature; and an increase in the adults risk of exposure to low night time temperatures and predation (Bryce; 2001 Crowther et al.; 2008). -
Australian Government, Listing Advice, Thaumatoperla alpina
Climate change is also a potential threat to the Alpine Stonefly.
Increased water temperatures as a result of climate change would impact on the development of Alpine Stonefly eggs; as successful development of eggs only occurs within a temperature range of 5 15 C.
Climate change may also result in an increase in the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
There are several potential threats to the species including predation and competition with introduced fish species; ski resort development; logging; reduced snow melt and increased fire intensity as a result of climate change.
As outlined under Criterion 1; there are several actual and potential threats to the species; including ski resort development; predation by introduced fish species and reduced snow melt and increased fire intensity as a result of climate change.
As outlined under Criterion 1; there are several potential threats to the species; including ski resort development; predation by introduced fish species and reduced snow melt and increased fire intensity as a result of climate change.
The Committee accepts that the species has a restricted geographic distribution; which is precarious for the survival of the species due to its fragmented distribution; specific habitat requirements; limited dispersal ability and a number of potential threats; including ski resort development; predation by introduced fish species and reduced snow melt and increased fire intensity as a result of climate change.
Increased fire intervals or intensity may result in increased stream sediment from ground run off and a decline in water quality; the loss of streamside vegetation and associated increase in water temperature; and an increase in the adults risk of exposure to low night time temperatures and predation (Bryce; 2001 Crowther et al.; 2008).
Download