Rolled-Wing Stonefly vs Stalk-Eyed Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rolled-Wing Stonefly Stalk-Eyed Fly
Scientific Name Leuctra geniculata Teleopsis dalmanni
Order Plecoptera Diptera
Family Leuctridae Diopsidae
Size 7-12 mm 6-10 mm body (eye span up to 25 mm)
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe Asia
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.

💡

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.

Stalk-Eyed Fly

Males have eyes on the tips of long rigid stalks that can span wider than their body length. Females prefer males with wider eye spans, driving extreme sexual selection.

💡

Did You Know?

Males compete by facing each other and comparing eye span — the wider-eyed male wins. Females prefer wide-eyed males because eye span indicates good genes.