Southern Stonefly vs Sweltsa Green Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Stonefly Sweltsa Green Stonefly
Scientific Name Aphanicerca capensis Sweltsa borealis
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Notonemouridae Chloroperlidae
Size 6-10 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Mountains Forests
Diet Detritivores Predators
Regions Southern Africa North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Sweltsa Green Stonefly

A small northern green stonefly found in cold boreal and montane streams. Nymphs prey on early-instar chironomids and other tiny larvae.

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Did You Know?

This species is one of the most cold-adapted stoneflies and can be active in near-freezing water.