Northern Stonefly vs Glacial Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Northern Stonefly | Glacial Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nemoura arctica | Leuctra alpina |
| Order | Plecoptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Nemouridae | Leuctridae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 6-9 mm body length |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Mountains |
| Diet | Herbivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Iceland, Arctic Canada | Alps, Pyrenees |
| 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.
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.
Glacial Stonefly
A small, slender stonefly found in the coldest alpine headwater streams. Its needle-like wings are rolled tightly around its body at rest.
Did You Know?
Its rolled-wing resting posture gives the family its common name of needle flies.