Western Glacier Stonefly vs Yellow Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Glacier Stonefly Yellow Stonefly
Scientific Name Zapada glacier Isoperla dicala
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Nemouridae Perlodidae
Size 5-8 mm body length 9-13 mm
Habitat Mountains Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Glacier National Park, Montana North America
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.

Yellow Stonefly

A bright yellow springfly found in clean Appalachian streams. Nymphs are predatory on small invertebrates in gravel substrates.

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Did You Know?

Males produce vibrational signals by rubbing their abdomen against the substrate, audible through special sensors.