Sallfly vs New Zealand Giant Centipede

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sallfly New Zealand Giant Centipede
Scientific Name Chloroperla tripunctata Cormocephalus rubriceps
Order Plecoptera Scolopendromorpha
Family Chloroperlidae Scolopendridae
Size 6-10 mm 100-160 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Heathland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Oceania (New Zealand)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sallfly

A small, bright green stonefly with three distinctive dark spots on its head. It is common in clean European upland streams during spring.

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Did You Know?

The three dark dots on its head give this species its Latin name tripunctata, meaning three-spotted.

New Zealand Giant Centipede

New Zealand's largest centipede, reaching up to 160 mm in length. While not an insect, it is a prominent invertebrate predator found under logs and rocks. It delivers a painful venomous bite and preys on large invertebrates including weta.

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Did You Know?

This centipede has been observed catching and eating gecko lizards and large weta that are nearly as big as itself.