Colorado Leaf Beetle vs Northern Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Colorado Leaf Beetle | Northern Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leptinotarsa juncta | Nemoura arctica |
| Order | Coleoptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Nemouridae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Iceland, Arctic Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Colorado Leaf Beetle
A close relative of the Colorado potato beetle with similar striped elytra but alternating dark and light brown stripes rather than black and yellow. It feeds on native horsenettle.
Did You Know?
Unlike its notorious relative the Colorado potato beetle, this species has not adapted to crop plants and remains relatively harmless to agriculture.
Northern Stonefly
A small, dark brown stonefly with two long cerci at the tip of the abdomen. Adults hold their wings flat over the body. Nymphs develop in cold, well-oxygenated streams and are indicators of clean water.
Did You Know?
Stonefly nymphs are so sensitive to pollution that their presence in a stream is used as an indicator of excellent water quality.