Small-headed Stonefly vs Short-Tailed Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small-headed Stonefly | Short-Tailed Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Perlodes microcephala | Brachyptera risi |
| Order | Plecoptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Perlodidae | Taeniopterygidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm body | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Detritivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small-headed Stonefly
A large spring-emerging stonefly found in clean upland rivers. Nymphs are predatory, feeding on mayfly and midge larvae. An important bioindicator species.
Did You Know?
Nymphs require the cleanest, most oxygen-rich water of any stonefly, making them sensitive pollution indicators.
Short-Tailed Stonefly
A medium-sized early-emerging stonefly with notably short cerci. It hatches in late winter and early spring across European rivers.
Did You Know?
It is one of the first insects to emerge each year, often appearing while rivers still have ice margins.