Small Ballast Caddisfly vs Longhorn Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Ballast Caddisfly Longhorn Caddisfly
Scientific Name Silo pallipes Oecetis ochracea
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Goeridae Leptoceridae
Size 7-10 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Europe Europe, Asia
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.

Longhorn Caddisfly

A slender caddisfly with antennae much longer than its body. Larvae are unusual among caddisflies in being active predators that hunt in their cases.

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Did You Know?

These caddisfly larvae carry their cases while stalking prey like tiny hermit crabs hunting on the lake floor.