Life Cycle
The immature Pargnetina media is frequently referred to as a larva but more properly classified as a nymph. These nymphs can be found in streams at the bottom of debris, or under rocks. The hatching of the egg marks the first instar in which the immature nymph looks very different than that of its adult form. The era of the first instar ends when the nymph undergoes its first ecydysis. With each preceding ecdysis the nymph will begin to look more like that of an adult.
Unlike larva, a nymph will usually live in the
same environment and consume the same foods as that
of an the adult form. This creates competition
between both the nymphs and the adults over the
recourses of the area. Once an adult, the Paragnetina media moves from the water to a more
terrestrial insect, although it can still survive
for periods of time in the water. Adults are
mostly herbivores feeding among the foliage along
streams. Mature adults only live for a couple
of weeks but during this time can be found by
sweeping the grasses along streams, on fence posts
near a water source, or many times can be found
resting on bridges.
(Borror, D.J. and DeLong, D.M. and Triplehorn, C.A. 1976)