Common Bluetail vs Snail-Case Caddis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Bluetail | Snail-Case Caddis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ischnura elegans | Helicopsyche borealis |
| Order | Odonata | Trichoptera |
| Family | Coenagrionidae | Helicopsychidae |
| Size | 27-35 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Bluetail
A small damselfly with a distinctive blue tail-light on segment eight of the abdomen. Females occur in multiple color forms including violet, green, and brown.
Did You Know?
Females exist in at least five distinct color forms, a level of polymorphism rare among damselflies.
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.
Did You Know?
Its spiral case is so convincing that early naturalists classified the larvae as snails rather than insects.