South African Brown Stonefly vs Common Spreadwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South African Brown Stonefly | Common Spreadwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neoperla spio | Lestes sponsa |
| Order | Plecoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Perlidae | Lestidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 35-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Africa | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
South African Brown Stonefly
A medium-sized brown stonefly found in rivers and streams of southern and eastern Africa. Nymphs are predatory and favor rocky riffles.
Did You Know?
Neoperla is one of the few stonefly genera found across both Africa and tropical Asia.
Common Spreadwing
A slender metallic green damselfly that characteristically holds its wings half-open at rest. It is widespread across Europe and northern Asia.
Did You Know?
Spreadwing damselflies lay their eggs into the stems of plants above the waterline, and the eggs overwinter before hatching when water levels rise in spring.