Snail-Case Caddisfly vs Red-bordered Metalmark
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snail-Case Caddisfly | Red-bordered Metalmark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Helicopsyche mexicana | Caria ino |
| Order | Trichoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Helicopsychidae | Riodinidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 28-35 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, Central America | South Texas through Mexico and Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Snail-Case Caddisfly
A remarkable caddisfly whose larva builds a coiled sand-grain case resembling a tiny snail shell. Found in warm streams of the American Southwest.
Did You Know?
Cases so closely resemble snail shells that they were originally described as a new genus of freshwater snail.
Red-bordered Metalmark
A dark metalmark butterfly with bright red-orange borders along the wing edges and metallic blue-green scaling at the wing bases. It perches with wings spread flat.
Did You Know?
Males are fiercely territorial, perching on sunlit leaf surfaces and darting out at any passing insect.