Microcaddisfly vs Sand Fly Caddis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Microcaddisfly | Sand Fly Caddis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hydroptila sparsa | Glossosoma intermedium |
| Order | Trichoptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Hydroptilidae | Glossosomatidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Microcaddisfly
One of the smallest caddisflies, with adults only 3-4 mm long. Larvae build tiny purse-shaped cases from silk and algae on submerged rocks.
Did You Know?
Microcaddisfly larvae build a new case for each instar, and their final pupal case is so small it is barely visible to the naked eye.
Sand Fly Caddis
A small caddisfly whose larvae build distinctive tortoise-shell-shaped stone cases. They are important grazers on algae-covered stream rocks.
Did You Know?
Glossosoma larvae abandon and rebuild their dome-shaped cases each time they need to move to a new grazing site.