Marbled Sedge vs South African Alderfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Marbled Sedge South African Alderfly
Scientific Name Hydropsyche contubernalis Leptosialis africana
Order Trichoptera Megaloptera
Family Hydropsychidae Sialidae
Size 12-18 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

South African Alderfly

One of the few alderfly species found in the Southern Hemisphere, occurring in clean mountain streams of South Africa. Adults are small with dark wings.

💡

Did You Know?

Southern Hemisphere alderflies are so rare and poorly studied that basic aspects of their biology remain unknown to science.