Large Alpine Stonefly vs Southern Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Alpine Stonefly Southern Stonefly
Scientific Name Perla grandis Aphanicerca capensis
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Perlidae Notonemouridae
Size 20-33 mm body length 6-10 mm
Habitat Mountains Mountains
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Europe, Alps, Pyrenees Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Alpine Stonefly

One of the largest European stoneflies, found in clean mountain rivers. Its nymphs take several years to develop in cold water.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs may take up to four years to complete development in cold alpine waters.

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.

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Did You Know?

Its family Notonemouridae is found only in the Southern Hemisphere, a legacy of the breakup of Gondwana.