Large Cinnamon Sedge vs Snail-Case Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Cinnamon Sedge Snail-Case Caddisfly
Scientific Name Potamophylax latipennis Helicopsyche mexicana
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Limnephilidae Helicopsychidae
Size 15-22 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions Europe North America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Cinnamon Sedge

A large, robust caddisfly with broad cinnamon-colored wings found across Europe. Larvae build heavy stone cases in cool upland streams.

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Did You Know?

Its heavy stone case protects it from both predators and the strong currents of mountain streams.

Snail-Case Caddisfly

A remarkable caddisfly whose larva builds a coiled sand-grain case resembling a tiny snail shell. Found in warm streams of the American Southwest.

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Did You Know?

Cases so closely resemble snail shells that they were originally described as a new genus of freshwater snail.