Needle Stonefly vs Painted Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Needle Stonefly | Painted Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leuctra fusca | Sargus cuprarius |
| Order | Plecoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Leuctridae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Needle Stonefly
A small slender stonefly that rolls its wings tightly around its body at rest, giving it a needle-like appearance. Common in small streams across Europe.
Did You Know?
Needle stoneflies are among the most pollution-sensitive aquatic insects and disappear quickly from streams affected by acid rain.
Painted Soldier Fly
A brilliantly metallic coppery-green soldier fly with a slender body and clear wings. It basks on sunlit vegetation and is often seen on hogweed and other umbellifers.
Did You Know?
Its metallic sheen changes color depending on the viewing angle, a phenomenon called structural coloration.