Glacial Stonefly vs Flat-footed Scuttle Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Glacial Stonefly | Flat-footed Scuttle Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leuctra alpina | Metopina oligoneura |
| Order | Plecoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Leuctridae | Phoridae |
| Size | 6-9 mm body length | 1-2 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Woodlands |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Alps, Pyrenees | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Glacial Stonefly
A small, slender stonefly found in the coldest alpine headwater streams. Its needle-like wings are rolled tightly around its body at rest.
Did You Know?
Its rolled-wing resting posture gives the family its common name of needle flies.
Flat-footed Scuttle Fly
A minute brown phorid fly with broad flattened tarsi and reduced wing venation. It is associated with ant nests where it scavenges on refuse and dead ants.
Did You Know?
It lives inside ant colonies as a tolerated guest, feeding on the waste materials that ants discard in their refuse chambers.