Biology Alpine stonefly named "new species of the year"
The Swiss Systematics Society has named the alpine stonefly species Dictyogenus nadigi as the "New Species of the Year 2025". In a recently published study, a Swiss researcher described six new species in this group.
26.03.2025, 09:31
SDA
He named one species Dictyogenus nadigi in honor of the entomologist Adolf Nadig, who died in 2003. The latter was a pioneer in researching the spring fauna of the Swiss National Park.
Switzerland is home to a great variety of stoneflies. 127 of the 516 species known in Europe live in this country, as the Swiss Systematics Society (SSS) reported on Wednesday. The species of the genus Dictyogenus are mainly found in the large torrents and rivers of the Alps up to altitudes of 2700 meters.
Despite their widespread distribution, an alarming decline in stoneflies has been recorded in many regions, the SSS added. This is also the case in Switzerland, where around 40 percent of the species are on the Red List.
Indicators of water quality
Stoneflies, Plecoptera in Latin, belong to the group of aquatic insects. They get their name because they prefer to land on stones on the shore.
Because they only occur in intact streams and rivers, stoneflies are used as indicators of water quality. Their presence indicates that a body of water is not polluted and is well supplied with oxygen.
Aquatic insects are fascinating creatures, the SSS continues: "In many species, the adults only have a very short life in the air. They die after laying their eggs in the water. There, their larvae develop - and a new cycle begins.
