Appalachian Springfly vs Balloon Dance Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Appalachian Springfly | Balloon Dance Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Remenus bilobatus | Hilara maura |
| Order | Plecoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Perlodidae | Empididae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Appalachian Springfly
A rare springfly restricted to a few clean Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are predatory on small invertebrates among gravel substrates.
Did You Know?
Its extremely limited range makes it one of the rarest stonefly species in North America.
Balloon Dance Fly
A dance fly famous for its elaborate mating ritual in which males present silk-wrapped prey gifts to females. Males spin a silk balloon around a captured insect before offering it during aerial mating swarms.
Did You Know?
Males that wrap their prey gifts in the most elaborate silk balloons are preferred by females during mating dances.