Western Glacier Stonefly vs Tasmanian Giant Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Glacier Stonefly Tasmanian Giant Stonefly
Scientific Name Zapada glacier Eusthenia spectabilis
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Nemouridae Eustheniidae
Size 5-8 mm body length 30-50 mm
Habitat Mountains Mountains
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Glacier National Park, Montana Australia (Tasmania)
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Western Glacier Stonefly

A cold-specialist stonefly found only in glacier-fed streams in Glacier National Park. It is threatened by the retreat of mountain glaciers.

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Did You Know?

It may become one of the first insects driven to extinction by climate change as glaciers disappear.

Tasmanian Giant Stonefly

A spectacular large stonefly endemic to Tasmanian mountain streams with bold orange and black markings. Nymphs are among the largest aquatic insect larvae in Australia.

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Did You Know?

It belongs to an ancient Gondwanan family found only in Australia and South America.