Cold-water Glacier Midge vs Sand Fly Caddis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cold-water Glacier Midge | Sand Fly Caddis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diamesa cinerella | Glossosoma intermedium |
| Order | Diptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Glossosomatidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm body length | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Alps, Scandinavia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cold-water Glacier Midge
A cold-adapted midge found in high-altitude streams fed by snowmelt. Its larvae are among the first colonizers of newly formed glacial streams.
Did You Know?
Adults can emerge and fly at temperatures just above freezing.
Sand Fly Caddis
A small caddisfly whose larvae build distinctive tortoise-shell-shaped stone cases. They are important grazers on algae-covered stream rocks.
Did You Know?
Glossosoma larvae abandon and rebuild their dome-shaped cases each time they need to move to a new grazing site.