Giant Stonefly vs Southern Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Stonefly | Southern Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pteronarcys californica | Aphanicerca capensis |
| Order | Plecoptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Pteronarcyidae | Notonemouridae |
| Size | 30-50 mm body | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Mountains |
| Diet | Herbivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | Southern Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Stonefly
Large aquatic insects whose nymphs require pristine, cold, oxygen-rich streams. Adults are poor fliers and stay near water. Important food source for trout.
Did You Know?
Stonefly nymphs are so sensitive to water pollution that their presence is used by scientists as a living indicator of water quality — no stoneflies means polluted water.
Southern Stonefly
A small brown stonefly endemic to mountain streams of the Western Cape, South Africa. It belongs to a Southern Hemisphere family with Gondwanan origins.
Did You Know?
Its family Notonemouridae is found only in the Southern Hemisphere, a legacy of the breakup of Gondwana.