Hairy Dragonfly vs South African Brown Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hairy Dragonfly South African Brown Stonefly
Scientific Name Brachytron pratense Neoperla spio
Order Odonata Plecoptera
Family Aeshnidae Perlidae
Size 54-63mm 12-20 mm
Habitat Wetlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Hairy Dragonfly

The earliest-emerging hawker dragonfly in Europe, with a distinctively hairy thorax. Males have blue and green markings on a dark body. It flies along ditches and reed-fringed waterways.

💡

Did You Know?

It emerges up to two months earlier than other hawkers, giving it exclusive access to spring insect prey.

South African Brown Stonefly

A medium-sized brown stonefly found in rivers and streams of southern and eastern Africa. Nymphs are predatory and favor rocky riffles.

💡

Did You Know?

Neoperla is one of the few stonefly genera found across both Africa and tropical Asia.