Winter Stonefly vs Needlefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Winter Stonefly Needlefly
Scientific Name Taeniopteryx burksi Leuctra inermis
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Taeniopterygidae Leuctridae
Size 8-14 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Winter Stonefly

A dark-colored stonefly that emerges during winter months when few other aquatic insects are active. Adults can be found walking on snow near streams.

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Did You Know?

Winter stoneflies are among the very few insects that emerge as adults during the coldest months of the year.

Needlefly

A slender stonefly that rolls its wings tightly around its body at rest, resembling a needle. Nymphs shred leaf litter in small streams.

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Did You Know?

The tightly rolled wings make the adult appear to have no wings at all when viewed from above.