Western Spruce Budworm vs Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Spruce Budworm Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge
Scientific Name Choristoneura occidentalis Glossosoma nigrior
Order Lepidoptera Trichoptera
Family Tortricidae Glossosomatidae
Size 22-28 mm wingspan 5-8 mm
Habitat Mountains Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Eastern North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Western Spruce Budworm

A major defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western North America. Repeated defoliation leads to growth loss and tree mortality.

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Did You Know?

Fire suppression has increased susceptibility of western forests to budworm outbreaks.

Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge

A small, abundant caddisfly of eastern North American streams. Larvae build tortoise-shell-shaped cases of fine gravel and are important grazers.

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Did You Know?

Grazing by dense populations can visibly reduce algal cover on stream rocks.