Phantom Midge vs Green Sedge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Phantom Midge | Green Sedge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chaoborus crystallinus | Rhyacophila dorsalis |
| Order | Diptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Chaoboridae | Rhyacophilidae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Phantom Midge
A nearly transparent midge whose larvae are planktonic predators in lakes. Larvae migrate vertically in the water column daily to avoid fish predation.
Did You Know?
Its glass-clear larvae are almost invisible in water, earning the common name glassworm.
Green Sedge
A free-living caddisfly larva that does not build a case, instead roaming the streambed as an active predator. Adults have greenish wings.
Did You Know?
Unlike most caddisflies, green sedge larvae are caseless predators that hunt like underwater wolves among the stream cobbles.