Seaweed Fly vs Silverhorn Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Seaweed Fly Silverhorn Caddisfly
Scientific Name Coelopa frigida Athripsodes cinereus
Order Diptera Trichoptera
Family Coelopidae Leptoceridae
Size 5-8 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions North Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Seaweed Fly

A coastal fly whose larvae develop in rotting seaweed wrack on beaches. It forms massive swarms on strandlines that can annoy beachgoers.

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Did You Know?

It is a model organism for studying sexual selection because larger males win more mating contests.

Silverhorn Caddisfly

A delicate caddisfly with silvery-grey wings and very long antennae. It is common near lakes and slow rivers across Europe.

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Did You Know?

Silverhorn caddisflies often rest with their long antennae held forward and together, resembling a single horn.