Needle Stonefly vs Sallfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Needle Stonefly Sallfly
Scientific Name Leuctra fusca Chloroperla tripunctata
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Leuctridae Chloroperlidae
Size 6-10 mm 6-10 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Predators
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.

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Did You Know?

Needle stoneflies are among the most pollution-sensitive aquatic insects and disappear quickly from streams affected by acid rain.

Sallfly

A small, bright green stonefly with three distinctive dark spots on its head. It is common in clean European upland streams during spring.

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Did You Know?

The three dark dots on its head give this species its Latin name tripunctata, meaning three-spotted.