Black Sedge vs Mother of Pearl Caddisfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Sedge Mother of Pearl Caddisfly
Scientific Name Silo nigricornis Mystacides azurea
Order Trichoptera Trichoptera
Family Goeridae Leptoceridae
Size 7-9 mm body 7-10 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
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.

Mother of Pearl Caddisfly

A small iridescent caddisfly with long antennae and pearly blue-green wings. It swarms in large mating flights over lakes and slow rivers.

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Did You Know?

The iridescent wing scales of this caddisfly create a shimmering blue-green appearance unique among the Trichoptera.