Rolled-Wing Stonefly vs American Needlefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rolled-Wing Stonefly American Needlefly
Scientific Name Leuctra geniculata Leuctra tenuis
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Leuctridae Leuctridae
Size 7-12 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Detritivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rolled-Wing Stonefly

A small autumn-emerging stonefly with wings rolled around the body. It is one of the few stoneflies that hatches in late summer and autumn.

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Did You Know?

This stonefly has an unusual life cycle, emerging as an adult in autumn rather than the spring emergence typical of most stonefly species.

American Needlefly

A delicate needle-thin stonefly of Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are important processors of autumn-shed leaf litter.

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Did You Know?

Multiple Leuctra species can coexist in the same stream by emerging at different times of year.