Snail-Case Caddisfly vs Tropical Ant-loving Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snail-Case Caddisfly Tropical Ant-loving Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Helicopsyche mexicana Ecitophya simulans
Order Trichoptera Coleoptera
Family Helicopsychidae Staphylinidae
Size 5-7 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America, Central America Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

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Did You Know?

Cases so closely resemble snail shells that they were originally described as a new genus of freshwater snail.

Tropical Ant-loving Rove Beetle

A myrmecophilous rove beetle from Central America that lives with Eciton army ants. Its body closely resembles the shape and color of its host ants.

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Did You Know?

It can switch between different army ant species, adapting its chemical profile to match each new host colony.