Iris Sawfly vs Caddisfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Iris Sawfly | Caddisfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhadinoceraea micans | Limnephilus rhombicus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Tenthredinidae | Limnephilidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 10-15 mm body |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Iris Sawfly
A small, metallic blue-black sawfly whose grayish larvae with dark heads feed along the edges of iris leaves, producing distinctive notching damage.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed along leaf edges in a perfectly straight line, creating neat rectangular notches that are diagnostic for this species.
Caddisfly
Moth-like adults with hairy wings held tent-like over the body. Aquatic larvae are famous architects that build portable cases from silk, pebbles, sand, leaves, and shells.
Did You Know?
Artist Hubert Duprat gave caddisfly larvae gold flakes, pearls, and precious stones — the larvae incorporated them into their cases, creating tiny jeweled sculptures.