Black Sedge vs Blackburn's Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Sedge Blackburn's Damselfly
Scientific Name Silo nigricornis Megalagrion blackburni
Order Trichoptera Odonata
Family Goeridae Coenagrionidae
Size 7-9 mm body 30-40 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Oceania (Hawaii)
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Black Sedge

A caddisfly whose larvae build heavy cases from sand grains cemented with silk. Found in clean, stony streams. Cases have lateral flanges of larger stones for ballast.

💡

Did You Know?

Larval cases have added flanges of larger stones that act as ballast, preventing the case from being swept away.

Blackburn's Damselfly

A Hawaiian endemic damselfly historically found on multiple islands but now restricted to a few locations. It breeds in streams and seeps in native forests. It is one of the most threatened members of the remarkable Megalagrion radiation.

💡

Did You Know?

Hawaiian Megalagrion damselflies have evolved to breed in an extraordinary range of habitats, from streams to tree holes to damp leaf litter.