Northern Stonefly vs Short-Tailed Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Northern Stonefly | Short-Tailed Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nemoura arctica | Brachyptera risi |
| Order | Plecoptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Nemouridae | Taeniopterygidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Iceland, Arctic Canada | Europe |
| 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.
Short-Tailed Stonefly
A medium-sized early-emerging stonefly with notably short cerci. It hatches in late winter and early spring across European rivers.
Did You Know?
It is one of the first insects to emerge each year, often appearing while rivers still have ice margins.