Northern Stonefly vs Blue Net-Winged Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Northern Stonefly Blue Net-Winged Beetle
Scientific Name Nemoura arctica Metriorrhynchus rhipidius
Order Plecoptera Coleoptera
Family Nemouridae Lycidae
Size 6-10 mm 10-16 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Iceland, Arctic Canada Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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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.

Blue Net-Winged Beetle

An Australian net-winged beetle with dark blue-black elytra and elaborate feathery antennae in males. It is commonly found on vegetation in eucalyptus forests.

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Did You Know?

Males use their spectacularly branched antennae to detect female pheromones across long distances.