Woodland Pterostichus vs North American Alderfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Woodland Pterostichus North American Alderfly
Scientific Name Pterostichus oblongopunctatus Sialis infumata
Order Coleoptera Megaloptera
Family Carabidae Sialidae
Size 9-13 mm 15-20 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Woodland Pterostichus

A medium-sized, shiny black ground beetle with distinctive oblong punctures in rows on its elytra. It is one of the most characteristic carabid species of European deciduous forests.

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Did You Know?

It is used as a bioindicator species for ancient woodland health; its presence is associated with undisturbed forest with deep leaf litter.

North American Alderfly

A small, dark-winged alderfly common near ponds and slow streams across eastern North America. Adults are clumsy fliers often found resting on streamside plants.

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Did You Know?

Larvae spend one to two years burrowing in pond mud before emerging for a brief adult life of just days.