Green Dragontail vs Apple Caddis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Green Dragontail Apple Caddis
Scientific Name Lamproptera meges Brachycentrus appalachia
Order Lepidoptera Trichoptera
Family Papilionidae Brachycentridae
Size 40-55 mm wingspan, tails up to 30 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia) North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Green Dragontail

A diminutive swallowtail butterfly with translucent green-tinted wings and extraordinarily long, slender tail streamers on the hindwings. It hovers like a hummingbird while feeding.

💡

Did You Know?

It is one of the smallest swallowtails in the world and its hovering flight, combined with translucent wings, makes it look like a tiny dragonfly.

Apple Caddis

A caddisfly of Appalachian streams that builds tapered square cases from plant material. Larvae orient their cases facing into the current for filter feeding.

💡

Did You Know?

The square cross-section of the case is thought to reduce drag in fast currents.