Dark Blue Quill vs Needle Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dark Blue Quill | Needle Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paraleptophlebia mollis | Leuctra fusca |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Leptophlebiidae | Leuctridae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dark Blue Quill
A small dusky-winged mayfly of Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are slow crawlers among leaf debris in gentle currents.
Did You Know?
It is one of the earliest mayflies to emerge each spring, sometimes hatching when snow still lines the streambanks.
Needle Stonefly
A small slender stonefly that rolls its wings tightly around its body at rest, giving it a needle-like appearance. Common in small streams across Europe.
Did You Know?
Needle stoneflies are among the most pollution-sensitive aquatic insects and disappear quickly from streams affected by acid rain.