American Needlefly vs Western Stone

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute American Needlefly Western Stone
Scientific Name Leuctra tenuis Doroneuria baumanni
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Leuctridae Perlidae
Size 5-8 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Detritivores Predators
Regions North America North America
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.

Western Stone

A large predatory stonefly of Pacific Northwest mountain streams. Nymphs have distinctive patterned heads and powerful mandibles.

💡

Did You Know?

Nymphs take up to three years to complete development in cold mountain streams.