American Needlefly vs Chinese Dobsonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute American Needlefly Chinese Dobsonfly
Scientific Name Leuctra tenuis Neoneuromus ignobilis
Order Plecoptera Megaloptera
Family Leuctridae Corydalidae
Size 5-8 mm 40-60 mm body
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions North America Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

American Needlefly

A delicate needle-thin stonefly of Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are important processors of autumn-shed leaf litter.

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Did You Know?

Multiple Leuctra species can coexist in the same stream by emerging at different times of year.

Chinese Dobsonfly

A large dark-colored dobsonfly found in streams across China and Southeast Asia. It is less well known than its North American relatives but equally impressive in size.

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Did You Know?

In parts of China, dobsonfly larvae are collected from streams and used in traditional medicine as a remedy for various ailments.