Rain Fly vs Needlefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rain Fly | Needlefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haematopota crassicornis | Leuctra inermis |
| Order | Diptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Leuctridae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Europe, Central Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Rain Fly
A medium-sized cleg with mottled grey wings and iridescent green eyes. It is most active in humid overcast weather before thunderstorms.
Did You Know?
Its activity increases dramatically before rainstorms, hence the common name 'rain fly'.
Needlefly
A slender stonefly that rolls its wings tightly around its body at rest, resembling a needle. Nymphs shred leaf litter in small streams.
Did You Know?
The tightly rolled wings make the adult appear to have no wings at all when viewed from above.