stonefly

[ stohn-flahy ]

noun

, plural stone·flies.

1. any of numerous dull-colored primitive aquatic insects of the order Plecoptera, having a distinctive flattened body shape: a major food source for game fish, especially bass and trout, which makes them popular as models for fishing flies.

stonefly

/ ˈstəʊnˌflaɪ /

noun

1. any insect of the order Plecoptera, in which the larvae are aquatic, living beneath stones, and the adults have long antennae and two pairs of large wings and occur near water

Word History and Origins

Origin of stonefly¹

First recorded in 1400–50, stonefly is from late Middle English ston flie. See stone, fly ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stonefly¹

C15: so called because its larvae live under stones in rivers