Most adults eat nothing. However, the few that eat have chewing mouth parts and feed on blue-green algae and various soft plant parts. The stoneflies found during the summer are active during the night. The stoneflies found during the spring or autumn are active during the daylight hours. Males and females mate on the stones near ponds and streams.
Females lay clusters or masses of eggs on the surface of the water.
The nymphs hatch from the eggs and drop to the bottom of the pond or stream. The nymphs go through several molts as they grow. This is called simple metamorphosis. Stoneflies are an important source of food for many fish that are found in ponds and streams. As adults, they provide food for many birds, amphibians and snakes.