Kirby's Dropwing vs Sand Fly Caddis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Kirby's Dropwing Sand Fly Caddis
Scientific Name Trithemis kirbyi Glossosoma intermedium
Order Odonata Trichoptera
Family Libellulidae Glossosomatidae
Size 30-37 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa, Asia, Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Kirby's Dropwing

A bright orange-red dragonfly widespread across Africa and into southern Asia. Males have distinctive orange wing bases and red veins.

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Did You Know?

It has recently colonized southern Europe via the Middle East, now breeding in Spain and Italy.

Sand Fly Caddis

A small caddisfly whose larvae build distinctive tortoise-shell-shaped stone cases. They are important grazers on algae-covered stream rocks.

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Did You Know?

Glossosoma larvae abandon and rebuild their dome-shaped cases each time they need to move to a new grazing site.