Rusty Sedge vs Great Red Sedge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rusty Sedge Great Red Sedge
Scientific Name Hydropsyche saxonica Phryganea striata
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Hydropsychidae Phryganeidae
Size 10-13 mm 20-25 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rusty Sedge

A net-spinning caddisfly of clean upland European streams sensitive to organic pollution. Larvae construct fine-meshed capture nets between stones.

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Did You Know?

Its presence is used as a biological indicator of excellent water quality in European river assessments.

Great Red Sedge

A large cinnamon-colored caddisfly with distinctive striped wings, well known to European anglers. It hatches in early summer on lakes and slow rivers.

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Did You Know?

This caddisfly inspired one of the oldest known artificial fishing flies, the "Great Red Sedge," used since at least the fifteenth century.