American Needlefly vs Cold-water Glacier Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Needlefly | Cold-water Glacier Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leuctra tenuis | Diamesa cinerella |
| Order | Plecoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Leuctridae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 3-4 mm body length |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Alps, Scandinavia |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Multiple Leuctra species can coexist in the same stream by emerging at different times of year.
Cold-water Glacier Midge
A cold-adapted midge found in high-altitude streams fed by snowmelt. Its larvae are among the first colonizers of newly formed glacial streams.
Did You Know?
Adults can emerge and fly at temperatures just above freezing.