Marbled Sedge vs River Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Marbled Sedge | River Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hydropsyche contubernalis | Rheotanytarsus exiguus |
| Order | Trichoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hydropsychidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Marbled Sedge
A net-spinning caddisfly with distinctly marbled wing patterns. It is common in larger European rivers and is tolerant of moderate levels of organic enrichment.
Did You Know?
Marbled sedge larvae are territorial and will aggressively defend their net-spinning sites from rivals.
River Midge
A small filter-feeding midge that builds silken nets on submerged stones in flowing water. Larvae are among the most abundant invertebrates in clean streams.
Did You Know?
Larvae build tiny fan-shaped silk nets that function like miniature versions of caddisfly catch-nets.