Fimble Brown Lacewing vs Snail-Case Caddis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fimble Brown Lacewing Snail-Case Caddis
Scientific Name Hemerobius fenestratus Helicopsyche borealis
Order Neuroptera Trichoptera
Family Hemerobiidae Helicopsychidae
Size 8-12 mm wingspan 5-7 mm
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Fimble Brown Lacewing

A small brown lacewing with fenestrate wing markings found in boreal forests. Associated with spruce and birch in northern latitudes.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most cold-tolerant brown lacewings, found well into the subarctic zone.

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.