Yellow Stonefly vs Glacial Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow Stonefly Glacial Stonefly
Scientific Name Isoperla dicala Leuctra alpina
Order Plecoptera Plecoptera
Family Perlodidae Leuctridae
Size 9-13 mm 6-9 mm body length
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Predators Detritivores
Regions North America Alps, Pyrenees
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Glacial Stonefly

A small, slender stonefly found in the coldest alpine headwater streams. Its needle-like wings are rolled tightly around its body at rest.

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Did You Know?

Its rolled-wing resting posture gives the family its common name of needle flies.