Snail-Case Caddis vs Eastern Weighted Casemaker

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snail-Case Caddis Eastern Weighted Casemaker
Scientific Name Helicopsyche borealis Goera stylata
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Helicopsychidae Goeridae
Size 5-7 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Snail-Case Caddis

A remarkable caddisfly whose larvae build coiled cases from sand grains that closely resemble tiny snail shells. It is widespread in North American streams.

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Did You Know?

Its spiral case is so convincing that early naturalists classified the larvae as snails rather than insects.

Eastern Weighted Casemaker

A caddisfly of clean European streams that builds mineral cases with large lateral ballast stones. Larvae scrape algae from rock surfaces in moderate current.

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Did You Know?

The lateral ballast stones are so precisely placed they appear to be glued on by hand.