Mountain Net-Winged Midge vs Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Net-Winged Midge Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge
Scientific Name Blepharicera capitata Glossosoma nigrior
Order Diptera Trichoptera
Family Blephariceridae Glossosomatidae
Size 7-11 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Mountains Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mountain Net-Winged Midge

A large net-winged midge of Appalachian mountain streams. Larvae require extremely clean, well-oxygenated water flowing over smooth bedrock.

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Did You Know?

Females of some Blepharicera species are predatory on other small flies, catching them with their raptorial mouthparts.

Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge

A small, abundant caddisfly of eastern North American streams. Larvae build tortoise-shell-shaped cases of fine gravel and are important grazers.

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Did You Know?

Grazing by dense populations can visibly reduce algal cover on stream rocks.