Small-headed Stonefly vs Strong Casemaker Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small-headed Stonefly Strong Casemaker Caddisfly
Scientific Name Perlodes microcephala Odontocerum albicorne
Order Plecoptera Trichoptera
Family Perlodidae Odontoceridae
Size 15-22 mm body 12-18 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Detritivores
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small-headed Stonefly

A large spring-emerging stonefly found in clean upland rivers. Nymphs are predatory, feeding on mayfly and midge larvae. An important bioindicator species.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs require the cleanest, most oxygen-rich water of any stonefly, making them sensitive pollution indicators.

Strong Casemaker Caddisfly

A caddisfly that builds smooth, slightly curved sand-grain cases up to 20 mm long. Larvae inhabit cool, clean streams with gravel and cobble substrates.

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Did You Know?

The cases are so precisely constructed they were once thought to be the work of marine worms rather than insects.