Mainely Phenology 3/24/18

Producers/Hosts: Hazel Stark and Joe Horn

Early Stoneflies

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at mainelyphenology.wordpress.com

The young wiggle their twin tails, do a series of pushups with their many legs, and begin creeping over the stones and rocks of their watery domain. One by one they inch their way with grapnel-like claws up a sheer rock face and emerge into frigid air. Appearing to pause to catch their breath, their back begins to heave, stretch, and then bursts open. As the skin-like shell of this beast ruptures, out pops an eye, an antenna, a twisted damp wing, a leg… and then 5 more legs.

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