South African Brown Stonefly vs Northern Stonefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South African Brown Stonefly | Northern Stonefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neoperla spio | Nemoura arctica |
| Order | Plecoptera | Plecoptera |
| Family | Perlidae | Nemouridae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Africa | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Iceland, Arctic Canada |
| 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.
Northern Stonefly
A small, dark brown stonefly with two long cerci at the tip of the abdomen. Adults hold their wings flat over the body. Nymphs develop in cold, well-oxygenated streams and are indicators of clean water.
Did You Know?
Stonefly nymphs are so sensitive to pollution that their presence in a stream is used as an indicator of excellent water quality.