Micro Caddisfly vs Snail-Case Caddis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Micro Caddisfly | Snail-Case Caddis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lepidostoma pluviale | Helicopsyche borealis |
| Order | Trichoptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Lepidostomatidae | Helicopsychidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Micro Caddisfly
A small western caddisfly that builds neat cases from leaf discs in rain-fed headwater streams. Larvae are significant leaf-litter processors in Pacific Northwest forests.
Did You Know?
Larvae switch from leaf-disc cases to mineral-grain cases when leaf material becomes scarce.
Snail-Case Caddis
A remarkable caddisfly whose larvae build coiled cases from sand grains that closely resemble tiny snail shells. It is widespread in North American streams.
Did You Know?
Its spiral case is so convincing that early naturalists classified the larvae as snails rather than insects.