From a study of glacier-fed catchments along a European latitudinal and climatic gradient, the relationships between the distribution of mayfly (Ephemeroptera) and stonefly (Plecoptera) nymphs and environmental variables were explored. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) demonstrated clear responses of mayfly and stonefly generic composition and taxa richness to environmental gradients, notably maximum water temperature and channel stability as these change downstream of glacial sources. GAMs developed for aquatic insects are well suited to detect environmental impacts, including climate change.