Australian Emerald vs Snail-Case Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Emerald Snail-Case Caddisfly
Scientific Name Hemicordulia australiae Helicopsyche mexicana
Order Odonata Trichoptera
Family Corduliidae Helicopsychidae
Size Body 4-5 cm; wingspan 6-7 cm 5-7 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Australia, New Zealand North America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Emerald

A metallic green-eyed dragonfly common near ponds and slow streams across Australia. It hovers sentrylike over water, earning its alternate name of Sentry Dragonfly.

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Did You Know?

It is sometimes called the Sentry Dragonfly because it hovers motionless over water for extended periods.

Snail-Case Caddisfly

A remarkable caddisfly whose larva builds a coiled sand-grain case resembling a tiny snail shell. Found in warm streams of the American Southwest.

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Did You Know?

Cases so closely resemble snail shells that they were originally described as a new genus of freshwater snail.