Claassenia Stonefly vs American Needlefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Claassenia Stonefly American Needlefly
Scientific Name Claassenia sabulosa Leuctra tenuis
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Perlidae Leuctridae
Size 25-40 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Detritivores
Regions Western North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Claassenia Stonefly

A large predatory stonefly with a mottled yellow and brown pattern. The nymphs are active nocturnal hunters that roam the stream bed seeking prey.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs often crawl out of the water at night to hunt, making them vulnerable to bats and spiders.

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.