Southern Stonefly vs Large Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Stonefly Large Stonefly
Scientific Name Aphanicerca capensis Perla bipunctata
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Notonemouridae Perlidae
Size 6-10 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Mountains Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Predators
Regions Southern Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Southern Stonefly

A small brown stonefly endemic to mountain streams of the Western Cape, South Africa. It belongs to a Southern Hemisphere family with Gondwanan origins.

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Did You Know?

Its family Notonemouridae is found only in the Southern Hemisphere, a legacy of the breakup of Gondwana.

Large Stonefly

One of the largest European stoneflies with a distinctive pair of pale spots on its head. Its predatory nymphs live among stones in fast-flowing rivers.

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Did You Know?

Large stonefly nymphs require three years to complete development, making them particularly vulnerable to long-term changes in water quality.