Saddle-Case Caddisfly vs Arctic Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Saddle-Case Caddisfly Arctic Caddisfly
Scientific Name Glossosoma conformis Apatania zonella
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Glossosomatidae Apataniidae
Size 6-9 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Arctic Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard, Arctic Canada
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Saddle-Case Caddisfly

A small caddisfly whose larvae build distinctive saddle-shaped cases from tiny stones. When it pupates, it cuts the case free from the rock and seals itself inside.

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Did You Know?

Saddle-case caddisfly larvae graze algae so efficiently that they can create visible clean patches on otherwise algae-covered stream rocks.

Arctic Caddisfly

A small, hairy-winged caddisfly with dark brown wings held tent-like over the body. Larvae build portable cases from sand grains and small stones. It is one of the most northerly distributed caddisflies in the world.

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Did You Know?

Some Arctic populations of this caddisfly reproduce by parthenogenesis, with females producing offspring without mating.