Small Ballast Caddisfly vs American Grannom

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Ballast Caddisfly American Grannom
Scientific Name Silo pallipes Brachycentrus americanus
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Goeridae Brachycentridae
Size 7-10 mm 9-13 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Ballast Caddisfly

A small caddisfly that cements large pebbles to its mineral case for ballast in fast water. Found exclusively in clean calcareous streams.

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Did You Know?

Larvae select ballast stones of remarkably uniform size relative to their body mass.

American Grannom

A case-building caddisfly whose larvae attach their cases to rocks in fast current and filter-feed. Cases are chimney-shaped and built from silk and plant fragments.

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Did You Know?

Larvae can switch between filter-feeding and scraping algae depending on current speed.