Banded General Soldier Fly vs Salt and Pepper Microcaddis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Banded General Soldier Fly Salt and Pepper Microcaddis
Scientific Name Stratiomys potamida Agraylea multipunctata
Order Diptera Trichoptera
Family Stratiomyidae Hydroptilidae
Size 12-16 mm 3-4.5 mm body
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Banded General Soldier Fly

A large, boldly marked soldier fly with a broad flat abdomen bearing yellow lateral markings. Its aquatic larvae are elongate and can breathe through a posterior spiracle at the water surface.

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Did You Know?

Larvae can survive in heavily polluted water where most other aquatic insects cannot live.

Salt and Pepper Microcaddis

A very small caddisfly with speckled wings found in algae-rich ponds and lakes across North America. Larvae build tiny purse-shaped cases. One of the smallest caddisfly species.

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Did You Know?

Builds one of the smallest insect cases known, a tiny purse-shaped structure barely visible to the naked eye.