Cottonwood Borer vs Graceful Winter Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cottonwood Borer Graceful Winter Stonefly
Scientific Name Plectrodera scalator Capnia gracilaria
Order Coleoptera Plecoptera
Family Cerambycidae Capniidae
Size 25-40 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Root Feeders Detritivores
Regions Central and eastern United States North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cottonwood Borer

A large longhorn beetle with bold black and white patterning and long antennae. Its larvae bore into the roots and lower trunks of cottonwood and willow trees.

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Did You Know?

When handled, it produces a loud squeaking sound by rubbing parts of its thorax together.

Graceful Winter Stonefly

A minute stonefly of cold North American headwater streams emerging in winter. Females are often short-winged or wingless.

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Did You Know?

Females sacrifice flight ability for greater egg production by reducing or eliminating their wings.