Giant Case-Builder Caddis vs Little Black Caddis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Case-Builder Caddis Little Black Caddis
Scientific Name Phryganea bipunctata Chimarra obscura
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Phryganeidae Philopotamidae
Size 18-25 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Case-Builder Caddis

A large caddisfly with spotted wings found in northern and central Europe. Larvae construct conspicuous helical cases from plant material in weedy waters.

💡

Did You Know?

Its larvae are among the few caddisflies known to actively prey on other aquatic invertebrates.

Little Black Caddis

A small, dark caddisfly that builds finger-shaped silk nets in stream crevices. It is widespread in warm-water streams across eastern North America.

💡

Did You Know?

Its silk capture tube is among the finest-meshed nets of any caddisfly, trapping microscopic food particles.