Perlesta ephelida Grubbs & DeWalt

Grubbs, Scott A. & DeWalt, R. Edward, 2012, Perlesta ephelida, a new Nearctic stonefly species (Plecoptera, Perlidae), ZooKeys 194, pp. 1-15 : 3-10

Perlesta ephelida Grubbs & DeWalt sp. n. Figs 1 –79– 21

Material examined.

Holotype: male, in alcohol, USA: Kentucky: Warren Co., Trammel Fork, Drakes Creek, Alvaton, 36.8704, -86.3683, 2.vi.1999, S.A. Grubbs (INHS).

Paratypes.

USA: Alabama: Clay Co., Enitachopco Creek, CR 35, 9 km ESE Millersville, 33.1602, -85.8352, 18.v.2008, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂, 2♀ (WKU). Illinois: Winnebago Co., Sugar River, Sugar River Forest Preserve, 42.4604, -89.2399, 22.vi.2010, R.E. DeWalt, E.W. Hernandez and M.M. Brown, 15♂ (INHS-516704). Indiana: Bartholomew Co., East Fork White River, Azalia Bridge, 1.5 km SW Azalia, 39.0849, -85.8598, 11.vi.2000, S.A. Grubbs, 4♂, 3♀ (WKU), same but 9.vii.2008, S.A. Grubbs,♀ (WKU); Pulaski Co., Tippecanoe River, 8 km NNE Winamac, 41.1316, -86.5880, 28.vi.2006, R.E. DeWalt, 4♂, 3♀ (INHS-164863); Steuben Co., Pigeon River, Rte. 327, 14 km N Helmer, 41.6513, -85.1744, 23.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂, 4♀, 2 nymphs (WKU). Kentucky: Warren Co., same data as Holotype but 24.v.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, 3♀ (WKU), same but 30.v.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU), same but 19.vi.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU), same but 20.vi.1999 (reared), S.A. Grubbs, ♀, nymph, exuvia (WKU), same but 22.vi.1999 (reared), S.A. Grubbs, ♀, exuvia (WKU), same but 26.vi.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU), same but 29.vi.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU), same but 2.vii.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, ♀ (WKU), same but 9.vii.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU), same but 20.v.2001, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU), same but 30.v.2011, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, ♀ (WKU). Maryland: Washington Co., Licking Creek, 1 km N Pectonville, 39.6760, -78.0430, 3.viii.1996, S.A. Grubbs, 7♂ (WKU), same but 6.viii.1996, S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU), same but 12.vii.1997, S.A. Grubbs, 25♂, 69♀ (WKU). Michigan: Calhoun Co., South Branch Kalamazoo River, M-60, Homer, 42.1469, -84.8023, 25.vii.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 6♂, 8♀ (WKU); Ionia Co., Flat River, 2 km N Belding, Flat River State Game Area, 43.1197, -85.2243, 21.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂, 2♀, 4 nymphs (WKU); St. Joseph Co., Rocky River, 1 km SW Moore Park at Floating Bridge Rd., 42.0056, -85.6461, 9.vi.2010, R.E. DeWalt, M. Pessino and E.W. Hernandez, 6♂, 3♀ (INHS-549882). Missouri: Oregon Co., Eleven Point River, Rte.160, Riverton Access, 36.6489, -91,2004, 27.vi.2011, S.A. Grubbs, 2♂, ♀ (WKU). Ohio: Portage Co., Cuyahoga River, 6 km E Streetsboro Coits Rd., 41.2493, -81.2694, 25.vi.2006, R.E. DeWalt, 11♂, 14♀ (INHS-163781). Wisconsin: Sawyer Co., Namekagon River, NE Hayward, public canoe put-in, 46.0720, -91.4170, 25.vi.2010, R.E. DeWalt, E. Hernandez and M.M. Brown, 5♂, 6♀ (INHS-516414).

Additional material examined.

CANADA: Flood River, [5 km S Atikokan], 48.7107, -91.5968, ROM Field Party, 3.vii.1984, 4 nymphs (ROM-9496); Ottawa River, Remic Rapids Champlain Bridge, 45.4078, -75.7544, 3.vii.1935, F. P. Ide, 2 nymphs (CNC-1282). USA, Alabama: Calhoun Co., Terrapin Creek, U.S. 278 at CR 33, 4 km NE Piedmont, 33.9550, -85.5712, 17.v.2008, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, ♀ (WKU); Cleburne Co., Tallapoosa River, CR 72, 21 km ENE Heflin, 33.7140, - 85.3733, 8.vi.2007, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU); Talladega Co., Cheaha Creek, CR 005, 12 km NE Talladega, 33.5319, -86.0415, 18.v.2008, S.A. Grubbs, 5♀ (WKU); Talladega Creek, CR 303, 6 km S Talladega, 33.3826, -86.0790, 18.v.2008, S.A. Grubbs, 3♀ (WKU); Tallapoosa Co., Hillabee Creek, 15 km NE Alexander City, 33.0657, -85.8798, 18.v.2008, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU). Arkansas: Lawrence Co., Spring River, 1 km S Ravenden, 36.2246, -91.2505, 27.vi.2011, S.A. Grubbs, 2♀ (WKU); Sharp Co., Martins Creek, 5 km NE Wilford, 36.2722, -91.3326, 27.vi.2011, S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU). Illinois: Clark Co., Big Creek, 6.5 km NNW Marshall, 39.4480, -87.7170, 21.vi.1993, D.W. Webb, 3♂, 2♀ (INHSPle-2978); Franklin Co., Big Muddy River, Zeigler, 37.8914, -89.0199, 6.viii.1976, S. Herbert, ♂ (INHS-487359). Indiana: Allen Co., Cedar Creek, 1 km W Cedar Canyons at Auburn Rd., 41.2351, -85.1027, 27.vi.2007, R.E. DeWalt, 14♂ (INHS-454376); Cass Co., Eel River, 1 km NE Adamsboro, along CR 600E, 40.7970, -86.2571, 24.v.2006, R.E. DeWalt, ♂, nymph (INHS-164562); Elkhart Co., Little Elkhart River, 5 km E Bristol, Bonnieville Mill County Park, 41.7192, -85.7630, 23.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, 3♀ (WKU); Franklin Co., West Fork Whitewater River, nr. U.S. 52, 1 km W Metamora, 39.4550, -85.1562, 6.vi.2009, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU); Johnson Co., Sugar Creek, 4.2 km NW Edinburgh, 39.3821, -85.9978, 21.vi.2006, R.E. DeWalt, ♂ (INHS-163722); Kosciusko Co., Cherry Creek, Winona Lake, 41.2270, -85.8220, 30.vi.1947, F, E. Mockford, ♂ (CNC-1288); Monroe Co., Bloomington, 39.1653, - 86.5264, 9.vii.1938, Sherrill, ♀ (CNC-1305); Morgan Co., 39.6206, -86.2819, 28.vi.1933, Musgrave, ♀ (PURC-4261); Newton Co., Beaver Lake Ditch, 0.8 km NE Conrad, 41.1073, -87.4373, 8.vii.1998, E. H. Metzler, ♀ (OBS-2910); Starke Co., Kankakee River, 0.25 km N English Lake, 41.2720, -86.8246, 27.vi.2006, R.E. DeWalt, ♀ (INHS-164854); Tippecanoe Co., Wabash River, Lafayette, 40.4202, -86.8971, 16.vii.1923, G. M. Sterrett, ♂ (CNC-1834). Iowa: Buchanon Co., Lime Creek, 3.2 km NE Brandon, 42.3296, -91.9805, 8.vi.2000, D. Heimdal, ♂, ♀ (INHS-36090). Kentucky: Allen Co., Long Creek, Rte. 100, 10 km SE Scottsville, Barren River Lake WMA, 36.6965, -86.0469, 14.vi.2001, S.A. Grubbs and J.M. Taylor, ♂, 15♀ (WKU); Bell Co., Cumberland River, NE of Pineville along US-119, 36.7226, -83.6398, 7.vi.2007, R.E. DeWalt and L. Fennema, 5♂, ♀ (INHS-454363); Green Co., Little Brush Creek, 5 km WNW Summersville, 37.3344, -85.5913, 3.vi.2006 (reared), S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU); Brush Creek, Rte. 61, 10 km NW Summersville, 37.3909, -85.6105, 3.vi.2006 (reared), S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU); Warren Co., Middle Fork Drakes Creek, 19 km NE Franklin, 36.8187, -86.3944, 10.vi.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, ♀ (WKU); at confluence of Barren River and Green River, 15 km NW Richardsville, 37.1809, -86.6232, 4.vi.1999, S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU); Maryland: Allegany Co., Flintstone Creek, Flintstone, 14.viii.1995, 39.7079, -78.5664, S. A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU), same but 4.vii.1996, S.A. Grubbs, 9♂, 4♀ (WKU), same but 2.viii.1996, S. A. Grubbs, ♂, 3♀ (WKU); Sideling Hill Creek, Scenic U.S. 40, nr. Bellegrove, 39.7044, -78.3284, 3.viii.1996, S.A. Grubbs, 7♀ (WKU), same but 23.vi.1997, S.A. Grubbs, 3♀ (WKU), same but 14.vii.1998, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂ (WKU); Sideling Hill Creek, 1 km NE Bellegrove, 39.7084, -78.3313, 4.vii.1996, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, 6♀ (WKU); Town Creek, 5 km NE Oldtown, Green Ridge State Forest, 39.5744, -78.5468, 4.vii.1996, S.A. Grubbs, 2♂, 10♀ (WKU), same but 8.vi.1998, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂, 2♀ (WKU); Harford Co., Deer Creek, 7 mi NW Bel Air, Rocks State Park, 39.6314, -76.4052, 12.vii.1998, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, 2♀ (WKU); Washington Co., Conococheague Creek, 1 km E Fairview, 39.7163, -77.8256, 14.vii.1998, S.A. Grubbs, 10♂, 24♀ (WKU); Tonoloway Creek, Hancock, 39.6981, -78.1565, 3.viii.1996, S.A. Grubbs, 2♀ (WKU). Massachusetts: Hampshire Co., Ware River, Rte. 32, 3 km S Gilbertsville, 42.2847, -72.2161, 28.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU). Michigan: Allegan Co., Rabbit River, 10 km W Wayland, 42.6779, -85.7612, 19.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, ♀ (WKU); Benzie Co., [Platte River], Benzie State Park, 44.7183, -86.1165, 23.viii.1960, R.A. Scheibner, ♀ (MSUC-8317); Berrien Co., Dowagiac Creek, U.S. 31, Niles, 41.8452, -86.2621, 30.vii.1994, S.A. Grubbs, 5♂, 4♀, 2 nymphs (WKU), same but 7.vi.2001, S.A. Grubbs, 4♂, 2♀ (WKU); Dowagiac Creek, M-51, 2 km N Niles, 41.8643, -86.2416, 19.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 8♂, 9♀ (WKU); Galien River, New Buffalo, 41.8084, -86.7154, 22.vi.1957, J. Lowe, 2♂, ♀ (CNC-500); Clare Co., Middle Branch Tobacco River, 11 km NE Clare, 43.9092, -84.7006, 24.vii.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, 2 nymphs, exuviae (WKU); Clinton Co., Vermillion Creek, Bath, 42.8345, -84.3692, 15.vii.1955, R.L. Fischer, ♂ (MSUC-7832); Gladwin Co., Cedar River, 5 km N Beaverton, 43.9308, -84.4760, 24.vii.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU); Hillsdale Co., East Branch St. Joseph River, 14 km W Hudson, Lost Nation State Game Area, 41.8635, -84.5145, 23.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, ♀ (WKU); East Fork West Branch St Joseph River, 14 km S Hillsdale at Dimmers Road, 41.7960, -84.6380, 27.vii.2000, J. Mandrelle, 5♂, 11♀ (OBS-6338); West Branch St. Joseph River, Boy Scout Camp Property, 5 km E State Rte. 49 at Territorial Road, 41.7071, -84.6903, 27.vi.2000, J. Mandrelle, ♂, 7♀ (OBS-6324); Ingham Co., [Grand River], Lansing, 42.7325, -84.5497, 23.vi.1981, ♂ (MSUC-2368); Isabella Co., Pine River, 8 km N Cedar Lake, Edmond State Game Area, 43.4733, -84.9701, 21.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 3♀ (WKU); Kalamazoo Co., Kalamazoo River, 1.5 km SW Galesburg at 35th St., 42.2803, -85.4285, 19.vi.2010, R.E. DeWalt, M. Pessino and E.W. Hernandez, 3♂, ♀ (INHS-550553); Lake Co., Pere Marquette River, 7 km E Baldwin, 43.8869, -85.9370, 23.vii.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 2♂ (WKU); Lenawee Co., River Raisin, 10 km NE Adrian, 41.9492, -83.9415, 23.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU); [River Raisin], Clinton, 42.0718, -83.9796, 28.vi.1941, T.H. Frison and H.H. Ross, ♂ (INHSPle-3828); Livingston Co., Portage River, 3 km SE Hell at Dexter-Town Hall Rd, 42.4242, -83.9497, 9.vi.2010, R.E. DeWalt, M. Pessino and E.W. Hernandez, 12♂, 12♀ (INHS-514942); Menominee Co., Little Cedar River, 6 km W Carney at G18, 45.5799, -87.6332, 9.vii.2011, R.E. DeWalt, 2♀ (INHS-552590); Montcalm Co., Fish Creek, Carson City, 43.1773, -84.8566, 21.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂ (WKU); Flat River, Greenville, 43.1771, -85.2478, 21.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU); Flat River, at Hunter Lake, T11N R8W Sec. 33, 43.2921, -85.2592, 8.vii.1966, J. P. Donahue, 3♀ (MSUC-7480); Presque Isle Co., 45.3077, -83.8724, 5.viii.1948, ♂ (MSUC-7839); Saginaw Co., Bad River, 10 km W St. Charles, 43.2987, -84.2689, 21.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂ (WKU); St. Clair Co., Bad River, 15 km SE Yale, 43.0926, -82.6181, 22.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂, 2♀ (WKU); St. Joseph Co., Pigeon River, 7 km WSW Pigeon River, 41.7764, -85.7213, 19.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂, ♀ (WKU), same but 21.vii.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, ♀ (WKU); Portage River, Parkville, 42.0146, -85.5480, 19.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♂, 2♀ (WKU); Prairie River, Centreville, 41.9291, -85.5284, 21.vii.2006, S.A. Grubbs, ♀ (WKU); Washtenaw Co., Huron River 3 km SE Dexter, 42.3283, -83.8531, 22.vi.2006, S.A. Grubbs, 2♂, ♀ (WKU); Huron River, Scio township, 42.3235, -83.8404, 20.vi.1988, T.E. Moore, ♂, ♀ (UMMZ-2807). Missouri: St. Francois Co., Big River, Adjacent to picnic grounds, 37.9669, -90.5346, 19.vi.2008, R.E. DeWalt, ♂ (INHS-515558). Ohio: Ashland Co., Clear Fork [Mohican] River, SE Pleasant Hill Reservoir, 40.6082, -82.2540, ♀, T. Yamamoto, L. Kohalmi, 1.viii.1968, ROME-9773); Ashtabula Co., Ashtabula River, 1.9 km WNW Gageville, 41.8486, -80.6895, 15.vii.1998, M. Silvaggio, 5♀ (OBS-3047); Columbiana Co., Little Beaver Creek, Wayne Twp. [at Steubenville Rd], 40.6947, -80.7658, 14.vii.1997, E.G. Chapman, 2♀ (OBS-6653); Coshocton Co., Bucklew Run, 5 km E Warsaw at Twp. 28 Rd., 40.3323, -81.9378, 26.vi.1999, S.W. Chordas III and J. Thompson, 5♂, 2♀ (OBS-3212); Defiance Co., Mud Creek, 13 km WNW Defiance, 41.3339, -84.4968, 17.vii.2000, S.W. Chordas III and E.G. Chapman, ♀ (OBS-6372); Lake Co., Paine Creek, SE Lane, 41.7208, -81.1761, 22.vi.1999, ♀ (INHS-163045); Licking Co., North Fork Licking River, 3 km S Utica, 40.2095, -82.4428, 13.vii.1999, S. O’Dee, ♀ (OBS-2904); Miami Co., Rush Creek, 5 km NE Piqua, 40.1821, -84.2151, 17.vii.2000, S.W. Chordas III and E.G. Chapman, ♀ (OBS-3064); Paulding Co., Maumee River, 16 km NW Paulding, 41.1983, -84.7467, 17.vii.2000, S.W. Chordas III and E.G. Chapman, ♂, ♀ (OBS-6330); Pike Co., Pike State Forest, 39.1031, -83.2682, 1.vi.1938, C.R. Neiswander, 2♂, ♀ (INHSPle-3907); Richland Co., Rocky Fork Mohican River, SE Mansfield, 40.7025, -82.3666, 27.vii.1999, E.G. Chapman, 2♀ (OBS-6313); Scioto Co., 38.8371, -83.0445, 1.vi.1925, C.H. Kennedy, ♂ (OSU-10765); Vinton Co., Pike Run, at SR 327 deadend, 39.3074, -82.7315, 7.vii.1996, J. McCreery, ♀ (OBS-7229); Wayne Co., Killbuck Creek, 9 km SW Wooster, 40.6945, -81.9798, 22.vi.1999, E.G. Chapman, 8♀ (OBS-6327); Williams Co., East Branch St. Joseph River, 4 km N Pioneer, 41.6950, -84.5107, 27.vii.2000, J. Mandrelle, 3♀ (OBS-6339). West Virginia: Morgan Co., Cacapon River, Rte. 9, 39.5286, -78.3478, 12.vi.1998, S.A. Grubbs, 3♂, 3♀ (WKU). Wisconsin: Burnett Co., St. Croix River, Riverside, 46.0772, -92.2461, 25.vi.2010, R.E. DeWalt, E. Hernandez and M.M. Brown, 2♂, 3♀ (INHS-516406); Dane Co., 43.0186, -89.5498, 30.vi.1949, W. McNeel, ♀ (WIRC-7152); Fond Du Lac Co., T13N, R19E, S23, 43.6687, -88.1938, 24.vi.1975, ♀ (WIRC-14414); Jackson Co., Halls Creek,, 44.3594, -90.7845, 18.vi.1968, ♀ (WIRC-14729); Lincoln Co., Prairie River, WI-17, 45.3361, -89.4650, 20.viii.1992, R.W. Baumann and C.R. Nelson, ♂, ♀ (BYU-1); Marinette Co., Menominee River, 18 km NE Amberg at CR-Z, 45.5814, -87.7866, 26.vi. 2010, R.E. DeWalt, E. Hernandez and M.M. Brown, 10♂ (INHS-550141); Price Co., [South] Fork Flambeau River, Fifield, 45.8798, -90.4156, 18.vi.1934, T.H. Frison and C.O. Mohr, ♂ (INHSPle-3908); Vilas Co., Trout River, Trout Lake, 46.0350, -89.7059, 22.vii.1937, T.H. Frison and H.H. Ross, ♂ (INHSPle-3811).

Adult habitus.

Head yellow with a dark brown subquadrate ocellar patch and a small, light brown subtriangular patch anterior to the anterior ocellus, pronotum golden-brown with a very faint lighter medial stripe in some specimens (Fig. 1). Wing membrane and veins amber except for pale costal region. Femora dorsally brown, laterally and ventrally yellow; tibia brown. Abdominal terga and sterna yellow. Cerci pale yellow proximally, brown distally.

Male.

Forewing length 7.5-8.5 mm. Tergum 10 mesal sclerites brown, sensilla basiconica patch distinct with interspersed long hairs (Figs 9-13). Paraproct broadest basally, apically acute, with distinct subapical tooth directed anteromedially (Fig. 2) and typically seen dorsally (Figs 9-13), in caudal view resembling a hypotenuse triangle and tooth visible (Fig. 3). Penis tube + sac long, caecum moderately-sized and thumb-shaped (Fig. 4), lateral sclerite distinct, dorsal patch broad basally, narrowing to narrow strip before expanding apically over caecum and tube (Fig. 5). At higher magnification the dorsal aedeagal patch hairs are noticeably shorter than the expanded portion over the caecum (Fig. 6).

Female.

Forewing length 9.0-11.0 mm. Subgenital plate lobes comprise medial half of 7th sternite, extending scarcely past anterior margin of 8th sternite, outer margins rounded, inner margins rounded and expanded slightly distally, separated by a shallow v-shaped notch (Fig. 7).

Egg.

Oval. Collar wide and distinctly stalked, highly-infolded, and flanged distally. Chorion smooth or finely pitted (Figs 14-21). Micropyles located ca. ¼ from posterior pole.

Nymph.

Undescribed.

Etymology.

The species name is a derivation of the Greek word ( “ephelis”) for freckle ( Brown 1956), in reference to the heavily-freckled head mask of the nymphs and associated exuviae.

Diagnosis.

The males of Perlesta ephelida will key to couplets 11 and 12 in Stark (2004), with a paraproct spine visible in lateral view and a group that includes Perlesta shubuta Stark, Perlesta puttmanni Kondratieff & Kirchner, 2003, and Perlesta decipiens (Walsh, 1862). Although the paraproct spine of Perlesta ephelida is directly somewhat anteriorly, it is mainly mesally-directed and typically seen in dorsal aspect (Figs 9-13), and superficially similar to Perlesta puttmanni (see Kondratieff and Kirchner 2003, Fig. 10). The paraproct spine of Perlesta shubuta is not visible in dorsal aspect and the tips are rounded apically (Fig. 8); the epiproct tips are pointed apically in Perlesta ephelida (Figs 9-13). The paraproct spine in Perlesta puttmanni is visible caudally (see Kondratieff and Kirchner 2003, Fig. 12), which is also seen in this aspect in Perlesta ephelida (Fig. 3), but is not visible in Perlesta shubuta (see Stark 2004, Fig. 7.352). The narrow aedeagal dorsal patch of Perlesta ephelida (Fig. 4) is slightly broader than Perlesta puttmanni (see Stark 2004, Fig. 7.367), whereas both Perlesta shubuta (see Stark 2004, Fig. 7.369) and Perlesta decipiens (see Stark 2004, Fig. 7.306) bear conspicuously broader patches. The egg of Perlesta ephelida possesses a wide, well-developed, and distally-flanged collar (Figs 15, 17, 19, 21), resembling Perlesta decipiens ( Stark 2004, Fig. 7.397) but easily contrasted from the short collars of Perlesta shubuta (Figs 23-24), and Perlesta puttmanni (see Kondratieff and Kirchner 2003, Fig. 15). The subgenital plate of Perlesta decipiens (see Stark 2004, Fig. 7.379) has prominent truncate lobes and a deep v-shaped notch while the medial notch of Perlesta ephelida is shallow and v-shaped (Fig. 7). The female of Perlesta ephelida can only be confidently identified if mature eggs are present and associated with a male with a fully-extruded aedeagus.

Remarks.

The type locality is a 5th-order gravel-bottom stream positioned in the Western Pennyroyal Karst Plain Level IV Ecoregion. Additional stonefly species obtained from the type locality were Allocapnia granulata (Claassen, 1924), Allocapnia nivicola (Fitch, 1847), Allocapnia recta (Claassen, 1924), Allocapnia rickeri Frison, 1929, Amphinemura alabama Baumann, 1996, Allocapnia nigritta (Provancher, 1876), Strophopteryx fasciata (Burmeister, 1839), Taeniopteryx maura (Pictet, 1841), Acroneuria frisoni Stark & Brown, 1991, Perlinella drymo (Newman, 1839), Perlesta ephyre (Newman, 1839), Neoperla catharae Stark & Baumann, 1978, Neoperla stewarti Stark & Baumann, 1978, Clioperla clio (Newman, 1839), Isoperla decepta Frison, 1935, and Pteronarcys dorsata (Say, 1823).

Perlesta ephelida is distributed broadly across the central and eastern U.S. from eastern Alabama northeast to Massachusetts, north to the Great Lakes region and Iowa, and northwest to the Interior Highlands region of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Perlesta ephelida is expected to be collected from intervening states (e.g. Pennsylvania, Tennessee) where this species has yet to be reported. In contrast, Perlesta shubuta appears to be restricted to a narrow latitudinal belt in the Gulf Coast region of the southeastern U.S., known currently from Louisiana east to northern Florida panhandle and likely to South Carolina.

The Perlesta shubuta records reported from Illinois ( DeWalt et al. 2005, DeWalt and Grubbs 2011), Indiana ( DeWalt and Grubbs 2011), Iowa ( Heimdal et al. 2004), Michigan ( Grubbs and Bright 2001), and Ohio ( DeWalt et al. 2012) refer to Perlesta ephelida . Similarly, the Perlesta decipiens records from Calhoun (Terrapin Creek) and Clay (Enitachopco Creek) counties noted in Grubbs (2011) are now of Perlesta ephelida .

Modified key to couplets 11 and 12 in Stark (2004) to identify males of Perlesta ephelida :