Small Brown Forestfly vs Glacial Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Brown Forestfly Glacial Stonefly
Scientific Name Nemoura avicularis Leuctra alpina
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Nemouridae Leuctridae
Size 5-8 mm 6-9 mm body length
Habitat Woodlands Mountains
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Europe Alps, Pyrenees
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Brown Forestfly

A small brown stonefly of European woodland streams that emerges in spring. Nymphs are detritivores feeding on submerged leaf litter.

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Did You Know?

Adults fold their wings flat over the body like a fan, unlike most stoneflies that fold wings along the sides.

Glacial Stonefly

A small, slender stonefly found in the coldest alpine headwater streams. Its needle-like wings are rolled tightly around its body at rest.

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Did You Know?

Its rolled-wing resting posture gives the family its common name of needle flies.