Overview:  Fender's soliperlan stonefly, like all stoneflies, spends a majority of its life as an aquatic nymph (larvae).  Stonefly nymphs require clean, clear water to survive.  Because they breathe underwater through gills, streams that harbor a population of stonefly nymphs must contain an adequate supply of dissolved oxygen--these are usually the cold, fast-flowing springs.  Unlike their mayfly cousins, stoneflies are primarily carnivorous, feeding on other mayflies, stoneflies and true flies, although they do consume detritus and plant matter as well.  As adults, stoneflies are poor fliers and live along the shores of the streams, feeding on algae and young vegetation.  Fender's soliperlan stonefly nymphs are exclusively found in seeps in the headwaters of small streams. These springs and seeps are threatened by activities such as construction of roads, ditches, or rights-of-way that interfere with their flow.  As an important food source for fish, amphibians and other species, stoneflies play a major part in the functioning of a healthy riparian ecosystem. Their loss not only eliminates an important source of nutrition for many species higher up on the food chain, it also indicates the ailing health of the valuable riparian habitats upon which a broad range of organisms, including human beings, depend.

Distribution: The only confirmed sightings of Fender's soliperlan stonefly have occurred within Pierce and Skamania Counties in Washington state.