Short-Tailed Stonefly vs Hooked Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Short-Tailed Stonefly Hooked Stonefly
Scientific Name Brachyptera risi Agnetina capitata
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Taeniopterygidae Perlidae
Size 8-14 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Predators
Regions Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Short-Tailed Stonefly

A medium-sized early-emerging stonefly with notably short cerci. It hatches in late winter and early spring across European rivers.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the first insects to emerge each year, often appearing while rivers still have ice margins.

Hooked Stonefly

A large, patterned stonefly of eastern North American rivers with distinctive hooked anal gills. Nymphs are active nocturnal predators under cobbles.

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Did You Know?

Its nymphs are nocturnal, hiding under rocks by day and actively hunting at night.