Great Red Sedge vs Tan Spotted Sedge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Great Red Sedge Tan Spotted Sedge
Scientific Name Phryganea striata Hydropsyche instabilis
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Phryganeidae Hydropsychidae
Size 20-25 mm 11-15 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Great Red Sedge

A large cinnamon-colored caddisfly with distinctive striped wings, well known to European anglers. It hatches in early summer on lakes and slow rivers.

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Did You Know?

This caddisfly inspired one of the oldest known artificial fishing flies, the "Great Red Sedge," used since at least the fifteenth century.

Tan Spotted Sedge

A medium-sized caddisfly whose larvae construct net retreats in fast-flowing upland streams. Adults are tan with spotted wings.

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Did You Know?

Larvae aggressively defend their net territories from neighboring caddisflies.