Giant Case-Builder Caddis vs Snail-Case Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Case-Builder Caddis Snail-Case Caddisfly
Scientific Name Phryganea bipunctata Helicopsyche mexicana
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Phryganeidae Helicopsychidae
Size 18-25 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe North America, Central 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.

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Did You Know?

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

Snail-Case Caddisfly

A remarkable caddisfly whose larva builds a coiled sand-grain case resembling a tiny snail shell. Found in warm streams of the American Southwest.

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Did You Know?

Cases so closely resemble snail shells that they were originally described as a new genus of freshwater snail.