How to find Thaumatoperla
Thaumatoperla are most easily found as adults. As larvae, they bury themselves beneath the sediment or rocks at the bottom of streams.
Thaumatoperla alpina
T. alpina adults can be found on vegetation in the riparian area across the Bogong High Plains. They have already been spotted this year (with much excitement) at sites near Falls Creek. They are mostly found on vegetation close to or overhanging flowing mountain streams and tend to climb up and occupy the upper foliage. So in the higher areas of the Bogong High Plains you'll usually find them below eye level - on heath plants such as alpine baeckea (Baeckea gunnianaa), Acrothamnus montanusa, and Bossiaea sericea, or on alpine grasses and rushes. But, they may be spotted even up in the canopies of snow gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora). In the montane forest of lower altitudes where the Eucalypts are less constrained by the elements, you might need binoculars to see them.
Thaumatoperla flaveola
We are now moving into T. flaveola's emergence period (March - May). T. flaveola are endemic to the Mount Buller and Mount Stirling areas of Victoria's alpine country. This species is regarded as being restricted to areas above 1000m, but they may potentially inhabit lower areas so do keep your eyes peeled. T. flaveola can be found in much the same kind of habitat as T. alpina and like to run along the ground but also climb too.
Thaumatoperla robusta
Firstly, good luck! To our knowledge, there are no records of T. robusta since the 70s except for a photographic record of one stonefly made in 2017. T.robusta are endemic to Yarra Ranges to Mount Baw Baw.
