Stonefly faces extinction after 'bad government call'

A critical habitat determination would have meant long-term protection for the wingless stonefly. (HANDOUT/THE WATERBUG COMPANY)

A critically endangered stonefly, which can outlive most other insects, may become extinct after the Victorian government made an "incredibly disappointing" decision.

That's the claim from the Victorian National Parks Association, which was frustrated on Monday after the government rejected an application for the Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly to be granted a critical habitat determination.