Black Sedge vs Green Sedge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Sedge Green Sedge
Scientific Name Silo nigricornis Rhyacophila dorsalis
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Goeridae Rhyacophilidae
Size 7-9 mm body 10-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Europe Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

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

Green Sedge

A free-living caddisfly larva that does not build a case, instead roaming the streambed as an active predator. Adults have greenish wings.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most caddisflies, green sedge larvae are caseless predators that hunt like underwater wolves among the stream cobbles.