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Alpine Stonefly (Thaumatoperla alpina)

The Alpine Stonefly is a large Australian stonefly found in Victoria’s alpine area, including the Bogong High Plains. Its nymphs live in cold mountain streams, where stream beds and water conditions are important to the species.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

Adults are reported to emerge during this period to reproduce.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • January to April: Adults are reported to emerge during this period to reproduce.

Identification: Appearance

It is described as Australia’s largest stonefly, with a total length slightly smaller than a thumb. Adults have a black-and-orange body and long, delicate wings that they seldom use.

It is described as Australia’s largest stonefly, with a total length slightly smaller than a thumb. Adults have a black-and-orange body and long, delicate wings that they seldom use.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The species is endemic to the Bogong High Plains in the Victorian alpine area. Its distribution is not well studied.

The species is endemic to the Bogong High Plains in the Victorian alpine area. Its distribution is not well studied.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It inhabits alpine riparian heathland and cold mountain streams. Nymphs live in the hyporheic zone and beneath the cobble beds of streams.

It inhabits alpine riparian heathland and cold mountain streams. Nymphs live in the hyporheic zone and beneath the cobble beds of streams.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Nymphs are predators that hunt the larvae of other insects in streams.

Nymphs are predators that hunt the larvae of other insects in streams.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

The nymph stage lasts approximately three years. Adults live for about two months to reproduce.

The nymph stage lasts approximately three years. Adults live for about two months to reproduce.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Nymphs live beneath stream cobbles and in the hyporheic zone of mountain streams.

Nymphs live beneath stream cobbles and in the hyporheic zone of mountain streams.

Threats: Threats

Climate change can reduce snowpack and warm meltwater, while bushfires, trampling and disturbance threaten the small network of streams it depends on. Other identified pressures include water pollution associated with snow-making, forestry activities and predation by introduced trout.

Climate change can reduce snowpack and warm meltwater, while bushfires, trampling and disturbance threaten the small network of streams it depends on. Other identified pressures include water pollution associated with snow-making, forestry activities and predation by introduced trout.

Threats: Works risk

Works that disturb alpine streams or their cobble beds could affect the nymphs’ habitat. Development, trampling, forestry activity and changes that pollute stream water, including snow-making, are identified as potential pressures.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

Detection methods described include visual surveys, aquatic sampling, trained detection dogs and environmental DNA. Traditional survey techniques have also been combined with species distribution modelling.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the on-ground surveys and data for referred actions under the EPBC Act, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations: Heath

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

It inhabits alpine riparian heathland and cold mountain streams.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: VIC.

Habitat use: general

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations: Water-associated habitat mentioned in profile

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

It inhabits alpine riparian heathland and cold mountain streams.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: VIC.

Habitat use: general

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Design the footprint, timing and access to avoid known or likely habitat, and brief crews on what to look for and who to call.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Fence or mark habitat to be retained and keep machinery, stockpiles and spoil out of it.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Reinstate disturbed ground with local species, return logs, rocks and litter, and control weeds and erosion until the site is stable.

Sources