Large Blue vs Finger-net Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Blue Finger-net Caddisfly
Scientific Name Phengaris arion Philopotamus montanus
Order Lepidoptera Trichoptera
Family Lycaenidae Philopotamidae
Size 38-52 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Grasslands Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Europe
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Large Blue

A blue butterfly with distinctive black spots that has one of the most complex life cycles in the insect world. It was declared extinct in Britain in 1979 but has been successfully reintroduced.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars trick ants into carrying them into their nests, where they feed on ant larvae for ten months.

Finger-net Caddisfly

A medium caddisfly with golden-brown wings. Larvae spin finger-shaped silken nets in fast-flowing water to capture ultrafine particles of organic matter.

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Did You Know?

Its silk nets have an incredibly fine mesh, filtering particles as small as one micrometer.