African Horse Fly vs Snail-Case Caddis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Horse Fly Snail-Case Caddis
Scientific Name Tabanus biguttatus Helicopsyche borealis
Order Diptera Trichoptera
Family Tabanidae Helicopsychidae
Size 16-22 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Blood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Horse Fly

A large tropical horse fly that transmits animal trypanosomiasis in Africa. It is an important veterinary pest across sub-Saharan Africa.

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Did You Know?

It is a mechanical vector of surra and other trypanosome diseases in African livestock.

Snail-Case Caddis

A remarkable caddisfly whose larvae build coiled cases from sand grains that closely resemble tiny snail shells. It is widespread in North American streams.

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Did You Know?

Its spiral case is so convincing that early naturalists classified the larvae as snails rather than insects.