Tiny Winter Black Stonefly vs Alpine Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Tiny Winter Black Stonefly	Alpine Stonefly
Scientific Name	Capnia nigra	Dictyogenus alpinum
Order	Plecoptera	Plecoptera
Family	Capniidae	Perlodidae
Size	4-8 mm	15-25 mm body length
Habitat	Rivers & Streams	Mountains
Diet	Detritivores	Predators
Regions	Europe, Northern Asia	Alps, Central European mountains
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Tiny Winter Black Stonefly

A tiny black stonefly that emerges in late winter across European streams. It is among the earliest insects to appear each year.

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Females are often wingless or short-winged, relying on walking rather than flight to find mates.

A large, dark stonefly of cold alpine streams and rivers. Its nymphs are voracious predators of other aquatic invertebrates.

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Adults have reduced mouthparts and do not feed during their short lifespan.