Little Black Caddis vs Sand-Dwelling Caddis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Little Black Caddis Sand-Dwelling Caddis
Scientific Name Chimarra obscura Molanna angustata
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Philopotamidae Molannidae
Size 6-9 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Eastern North America Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Little Black Caddis

A small, dark caddisfly that builds finger-shaped silk nets in stream crevices. It is widespread in warm-water streams across eastern North America.

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Did You Know?

Its silk capture tube is among the finest-meshed nets of any caddisfly, trapping microscopic food particles.

Sand-Dwelling Caddis

A caddisfly whose larvae build flattened shield-shaped cases from sand grains. The wide case acts like a snowshoe, preventing the larva from sinking in soft sediment.

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Did You Know?

Its case has lateral flanges that distribute weight and prevent sinking into soft sand.