Alder Fly

Name: Alder Fly

Scientific name: Sialis lutaria

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 40

What are nature stars?

About: The Alder Fly is a large, sluggish insect often found on vegetation near to water. The adults are blackish brown, about 2cm long with long, dark wings held folded back along the length of the body. The larvae are carnivores that live in the silt at the bottom of ponds and slowly flowing rivers.

How to identify: Told from Stone Flies by the lack of any 'tail' bristles.

Where: Widespread

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 70
• Agility: 50
• Rarity: 20
• Cute factor: 20
• Traveller: 50

Fantastic fact: One of the commonest aquatic invertebrates in silty ponds.

Photograph credit: Walwyn