Western Bushtail Caddisfly vs Sand-Dwelling Caddis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Bushtail Caddisfly Sand-Dwelling Caddis
Scientific Name Gumaga nigricula Molanna angustata
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Sericostomatidae Molannidae
Size 10-14 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions North America Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Western Bushtail Caddisfly

A western North American caddisfly that constructs smooth cylindrical cases from fine sand. Larvae are leaf-shredders in forested streams.

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Did You Know?

Larvae migrate upstream as they grow, compensating for the downstream drift they experienced as young instars.

Sand-Dwelling Caddis

A caddisfly whose larvae build flattened shield-shaped cases from sand grains. The wide case acts like a snowshoe, preventing the larva from sinking in soft sediment.

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Did You Know?

Its case has lateral flanges that distribute weight and prevent sinking into soft sand.