This work was begun to provide keys to the aquatic insect species known from Brazil. The original goal was to include all genera known from South America and all species from Brazil, but for most groups, the scope was expanded to encompass all species in South America, and, in some cases, to include terrestrial species of orders comprising both terrestrial and aquatic taxa. In no case is a taxonomic revision of any group undertaken, although recommendations for such revisions are included where appropriate, and probable synonymy of nominal species still treated as valid in the literature is noted. Two different approaches will be employed according to the taxon being treated. For phylogenetic groups encompassing overwhelmingly or exclusively aquatic species, such as the orders Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera or the families Dytiscidae and Culicidae, keys are provided to distinguish all genera and species known to occur in South America. An effort has been made to include every identifiable species so that the user ofthe key can determine with reasonable certainty whether or not his specimen belongs to a species that has already been described or whether it is one that is not yet known to science. Where feasible, complete keys will be prepared for groups containing both aquatic and terrestrial species that do not encompass an extraordinarily large number ofspecies. This has already been done for the order Collembola.

This book is part of a series designed to facilitate identification of South American insects likely to be encountered in, on, or near water, on wetlands, and in unusual aquatic habitats. It permits identification of all known adults and larvae. Each volume of the Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects begins with a short general introduction. The scope of this volume is the Plecoptera. It includes all species known from South America as of the year 2002 and permits a state-of-the-art identification of the species. In the case of specimens belonging to undescribed species or those not previously reported from South America, it permits identification to genus or family and gives the reader reasonable certainty that his specimen does not belong to the known fauna of the continent. The keys are richly illustrated to permit non-specialists in the group to reliably identify specimens. Taxonomic revisions are intentionally avoided, but doubtful taxa are so designated in the keys. The volume is meant for anyone interested in identifying aquatic stoneflies, including entomologists, stream biologists, ecologists, zoogeographers, fishery biologists, and naturalists. Already published within this encyclopedia: -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Collembola ISBN: 0-7923-6704-9 -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Ephemeroptera ISBN: 1-4020-0775-2 -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Plecoptera ISBN: 1-4020-1520-8 Forthcoming book titles: -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Odonata -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Orthoptera -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Heteroptera -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Neuroptera, including Megaloptera -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Trichoptera -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Lepidoptera -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Coleoptera -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Diptera -Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Hymenoptera

This work was begun to provide keys to the aquatic insect species known from Brazil. The original goal was to include all genera known from South America and all species from Brazil, but for most groups, the scope was expanded to encompass all species in South America, and, in many cases, to include terrestrial species of orders that include both terrestrial and aquatic taxa. In no case is a taxonomic reVlSlon of any group undertaken, although recommendations for such revisions are included, and the probable synonymy of nominal species still treated as valid in the literature is noted. Two different approaches are employed according to the taxon being treated. For phylogenetic groups encompassing overwhelmingly or exclusively aquatic species, such as the orders Odonata and Ephemeroptera or the families Dytiscidae and Culicidae, keys are provided to distinguish all genera and species known to occur in South America. An effort has been made to include every identifiable species so that the user of the key can determine with reasonable certainty whether or not his specimen belongs to a species that has already been described or whether it is one that is not yet known to science.

This work was begun to provide keys to the aquatic insect species known from Brazil. The original goal was to include all genera known from South America and all species from Brazil, but for most groups, the scope was expanded to encompass all species in South America, and, in many cases, to include terrestrial species of orders that include both terrestrial and aquatic taxa. In no case is a taxonomic reVlSlon of any group undertaken, although recommendations for such revisions are included, and the probable synonymy of nominal species still treated as valid in the literature is noted. Two different approaches are employed according to the taxon being treated. For phylogenetic groups encompassing overwhelmingly or exclusively aquatic species, such as the orders Odonata and Ephemeroptera or the families Dytiscidae and Culicidae, keys are provided to distinguish all genera and species known to occur in South America. An effort has been made to include every identifiable species so that the user of the key can determine with reasonable certainty whether or not his specimen belongs to a species that has already been described or whether it is one that is not yet known to science.

This work was begun to provide keys to the aquatic insect species known from Brazil. The original goal was to include all genera known from South America and all species from Brazil, but for most groups, the scope was expanded to encompass all species in South America, and, in many cases, to include terrestrial species of orders that include both terrestrial and aquatic taxa. In no case is a taxonomic reVlSlon of any group undertaken, although recommendations for such revisions are included, and the probable synonymy of nominal species still treated as valid in the literature is noted. Two different approaches are employed according to the taxon being treated. For phylogenetic groups encompassing overwhelmingly or exclusively aquatic species, such as the orders Odonata and Ephemeroptera or the families Dytiscidae and Culicidae, keys are provided to distinguish all genera and species known to occur in South America. An effort has been made to include every identifiable species so that the user of the key can determine with reasonable certainty whether or not his specimen belongs to a species that has already been described or whether it is one that is not yet known to science.

This book recounts the habits of many interesting and unusual exceptions to the rule that insects are typically terrestrial forms of life. It examines the different ways that groups of species have developed modes of existence in or on the surface of water, and gives reasons why the gross morphology of insects is not favorable for life in or near bodies of water, such as wings that fail to function after coming into contact with water, rendering them useless.