Striped Deer Fly vs Short-Tailed Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Striped Deer Fly Short-Tailed Stonefly
Scientific Name Chrysops vittatus Brachyptera risi
Order Diptera Plecoptera
Family Tabanidae Taeniopterygidae
Size 8-11 mm 8-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Blood Feeders Detritivores
Regions Eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Striped Deer Fly

A small deer fly with distinctive dark bands across its wings and bright green and gold patterned eyes. Females are persistent biters that circle the head and shoulders of hosts.

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Did You Know?

Its compound eyes display iridescent green and gold zigzag patterns that fade to dull gray shortly after the fly dies.

Short-Tailed Stonefly

A medium-sized early-emerging stonefly with notably short cerci. It hatches in late winter and early spring across European rivers.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the first insects to emerge each year, often appearing while rivers still have ice margins.