Glacial Stonefly vs Northern Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Glacial Stonefly | Northern Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leuctra alpina | Nemoura arctica |
| Order | Plecoptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Leuctridae | Nemouridae |
| Size | 6-9 mm body length | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Alps, Pyrenees | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Iceland, Arctic Canada |
| 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.
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.