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Flyfishing Entomology

 

Pacific Northwest Caddisflies (Trichoptera)

 
Apataniidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Apataniidae Apataniid case maker . .
Allomyia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Allomyia . Head very flat and ringed by a small ridge; pronotum strongly convex and rounded; metanotum has 4 similar sized plates; cases generally tapered cones with a slight bend, and made of fairly coarsely packed pieces of rocks.. .
Apatania Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Apatania Early Smoky Wing Sedge. Band of setae at front of metanotum. Portable tapered slightly ciurved sand-grain case, usually w/o ballast stones, and w/hood that conceals the larval head. Length: 6 - 8 mm.. Len: 8.5 mm. Body: smoky gray brown Wings: smokey gray.
Species sorex . . Emergence: Jan thru Jun.
Species tavala . Lives in high, cold streams of the Cascades Mountains, and is considered a species of concern.. .
Manophylax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Manophylax . Pronotum not overly bulbous; top of 3rd thoracic segment w/4 similar sized plates w/only a couple hairs scattered between; mandibles w/o distinct teeth; gills few & single; case tapered cone of fine rock fragments, often w/leading plant material.. .
Species annulatus . Found in a few places in Idaho, associated with the thin film of water from small springs and flowing over rocks.. .
Moselyana Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Moselyana . Head is nearly spherical; mandibles w/distinct teeth; 3rd thoracic segment w/4 brownish red plates arranged almost in a rectangle, front plates far apart, many short hairs in area between plates.. .
Species comosa . Case made of tightly packed, small rock fragments in a curved cone; smaller opening w/ small, silk teeth that point inward from edges.. .
Pedomoecus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Pedomoecus . Long, stout spines on top off head; gills always single; top of middle thoracic segment w/ trapezoid shaped plate divided down middle; case fairly tight cone of sand grains with a fairly strong curve.. .
Species sierra . Found in fast flowing, cold streams of the Sierras, Cascades, and northern Rockies, from California, well into British Columbia.. .
Beraeidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Beraeidae Beraeid case maker Retreat: portable case of rock particles, cylindrical, tapering and/or curved. .
Brachycentridae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Brachycentridae Humpless case maker Retreat: portable case of plant matieial, four-sided or cylindrical, tapering and/or curved; Abdomen: lateral humps on 1st seg. .
Amiocentrus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Amiocentrus Little Western Weedy-water Sedge. Tan to light brown hard parts; relatively short legs; lone pair of long hairs in the middle of front edge of mesonotum; case straight and round with a circular (no pointed lobes) opening at hind end.. Len: 7.5 mm. Body: dark brown Wings: greenish brown.
Species aspilus Little Western Weedy-water Sedge. Case: post. opening w/clover shape Only one mesonotal sa1 setae. Emergence: mid-May thru Jun.
Brachycentrus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Brachycentrus

brack-ee-sent-rus

American Grannom. No humps on first abdominal segment; long, flattened middle and hind legs: rappels downstream on silken thread; attach front of case to rock surface freeing up legs; use setae-fringed mid & hind legs to trap suspended particles. Len: 10-11 mm.. Len: 13 mm. Body: bright green to greenish brn Wings: brown to black.
Species americanus . Small ridge above the eyes; 1st abdominal segment w/2 (not 4) long, dark hairs in the middle; cases typically 4-sided and made of plant pieces, but may incorporate sand and other kinds of debris.. Body: brown Wings: brown. Emergence: Jul thru Aug.
Species echo . Head is smooth without a ridge above the eyes; hard parts are yellow-brown in color, with lighter areas and spots on top of the head; makes long, straight, round cases from small rock fragments.. .
Species occidentalis . Underside of first abdominal segment w/4 long, dark hairs in the middle; only one mesonotal sa1 seta; posterior opening of case circular.. Body: dark grayish brown to black with olive l/l on abd. Wings: dark brown Emergence: Apr to mid-Jun.
Eobrachycentrus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Eobrachycentrus . Mid and hind legs not overly large; hard parts dark; mesonotum w/many long hairs along front edge; ventral apotome longer than wide; case 4-sided, built of algae, hind end opening w/points projecting inwardly.. .
Species gelidae . Very rare species that lives in scattered, small, cold, spring-fed streams at higher elevations in the Cascades.. .
Micrasema Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Micrasema . Dark hard parts; relatively short legs; numerous hairs on front edge of mesonotum; ventral apotome wider than it long; case round, moderately tapered, curved toward end, hind end open with sharply pointed lobes projecting toward center .. .
Species dimicki . Brown hard parts; no gills; no humps on the first abdominal segment; lots of hairs on the front of the mesonotum; case with straight sides (no curve) and little taper.. .
Calamoceratidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Calamoceratidae Comblipped case maker Retreat: portable case made of excavated twig or large flattened pieces of plant material; labrum with row of ap 16 long setae. .
Heteroplectron Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Heteroplectron Brown Sedge. Labrum with a distinct row of hairs across the front; no plates on top of the third thoracic segment; large rectangular plate on top of the middle thoracic segment; case made of excavated twig.. .
Species californicum . Bores a hole through a twig or a piece of wood or bark, and lines the hole with silk.. .
Phylloicus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Phylloicus . Gills branched; front corners of pronotum extend part way around the sides of the head; case flat and made of several large pieces of bark, wood, or leaves stuck together.. .
Glossosomatidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Glossosomatidae Saddle case maker Retreat: portable tortoiseshell saddlecase made entirely or mainly of rock particles. .
Agapetus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Agapetus . Have 2 relatively large dorsal plates on meso thorax; top of the first thoracic segment tends to be hairy; tortoise-case made with fewer and larger rocks than Glossosoma.. .
Anagapetus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Anagapetus . Pronotum excised two-thirds lateral width from anterior; small plate on the "shoulder" of the front legs is much longer than it is tall; underside of abdominal segments 8 and 9 each w/pair of hairs; case openings with silk & sand grains... .
Culoptila Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Culoptila . Quite small, and have 3 plates on top of the middle thoracic segment; hair at base of claws is short and stout; sides of case are made up of several small rocks that are similar in size.. .
Glossosoma Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Glossosoma Little Tan Short-horn Sedge. No plates on top of the middle and third thoracic segments, but small plate on "shoulder" of front leg only slightly longer than tall; pair of hairs on the underside of abdominal segment 9, but not 8.. Len: 10 mm. Body: greenish brown Wings: pale tan to med brown.
Protoptila Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Protoptila (no common name). Quite small, and have 3 plates on top of the middle thoracic segment; hair at base of claws is long and thin, stretching about to the end of the claw; a fairly large rock is placed on each side case.. .
Goeridae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Goeridae Armored case maker Antenna 6x long as wide; subocular line on side of hd; HLs much longer than FWs; mesonotum w/ prom frwd proj procss; glue pebble to each side for blst. .
Goera Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Goera Little Gray Sedge. Gills are branched (mostly) into 3 filaments; metanotum w/4 distinct and clearly separated small plates on top; case is made of sand and rock fragments and has two large stones on each side helping hold case down in stronger flows.. Len: 10 mm. Body: pale yellow Wings: gray.
Species archaon . . .
Goeracea Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Goeracea . Have single, finger-like gills on abdomen; pronotum dramatically flattened/broad from above; plates of mesonotum enlarged w/no spaces between them; metanotum w/only two small plates on top near back; case with row of smaller stones on each side... .
Lepania Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Lepania . Single, finger-like gills on abdomen; pronotum rounded, arching over body; metanotum w/4 distinct small plates; case tapered tube of sand and rock fragments w/slight curve, hind opening not constricted by silk.. .
Species cascada . . .
Helicopsychidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Helicopsychidae Snail case maker Retreat: portable snailcase made of rock particles; body coiled when out of case; anal claw comb-shaped. .
Helicopsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Helicopsyche Speckled Peter. Anal hook comb-shaped; portable snailcase made of rock particles; body coiled when out of case.. Len: 7 mm. Body: pale to straw yellow Wings: light brown bg w/hvy speckling of darker brown.
Species borealis Cinnamon Caddis; Speckled Peter Caddis. . Emergence: Jun thru Jul.
Hydropsychidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Hydropsychidae Common net-spinner Retreat: variable with silken catchnet; abdomen with rows of highly branched gills. .
Arctopsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Arctopsyche Great Gray Spotted Sedge. Has single point on fore trochanter; smaller gills along the sides (not bottom) of  abdomen and start on segment 3; no distinct clusters of dark hairs on sides of abdomen;  habitat: cold, generally swift, running waters. Retreat: variable with silken catchnet.. Len: 20 mm. Body: greenish brown Wings: dark brown.
Species californica . Never has a yellow stripe down top of head and thorax.. .
Species grandis

grand-iss

. All males and most females have a yellow stripe that goes down the middle of the top of the head and thorax.. .
Cheumatopsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Cheumatopsyche Little Sister Sedge. Body cream in color; have a pair of fairly large, rectangular plates on underside of first thoracic segment; notch in the middle of the front edge of their head ; retreat: variable with silken catchnet.. Len: 10 mm. Body: green to greenish brown Wings: light to dark brown w/mottled effect.
Homoplectra Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Homoplectra . Has only a single point on fore trochanter; two sides of the head not completely separated by a plate in the middle of the underside.. .
Hydropsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Hydropsyche Spotted Sedge. Two, fairly large rectangular plates on the underside of the first thoracic segment; foretrochanter is forked into two points; no clusters of numerous dark hairs on the sides of the abdomen; some species w/color patterns on their heads. Len: 14 mm. Body: brownish yellow Wings: brown w/mottled light/drk pattern.
Species betteni . . .
Parapsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Parapsyche (no common name). Clusters of dark hairs along sides of abdomen; single pointed foretrochanter.. .
Species almota . Underside of head separated by rectangular plate, which doesn't taper from front to back; small gills along the sides (not underside) of abdomen.. .
Species elsis . Small gills on the sides of the abdomen are not branched into clusters and start on the 4th segment.. .
Hydroptilidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Hydroptilidae Purse case maker Retreat: portable case, made of rock particles and/or silk; never longer than 6.5 mm; gills inconspicuous. .
Agraylea Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Agraylea Salt & Pepper Microcaddis. Body laterally flattened; front legs are much shorter than the others; middle segments of the front leg are thick/broad; portable purse-case, made of filamentous algae and silk wrapped in a concentric pattern; never longer than 6.5 mm.. Body: green  Wings: speckled gray and white. Length: 5 mm..
Species multipunctata . Abundant in lakes, quiet rivers, and spring creeks.. Emerges Jun-Jul..
Alisotrichia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Alisotrichia . . .
Hydroptila Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Hydroptila Vari-colored Microcaddis. Three thin, white, filamentous gills on the hind end; Habitat: common, both lakes and rivers, feed on filamentous algae. Free-living until pupation, then build silk case; never longer than 6.5 mm.. Len: 4 mm. Body: bright yellow to orange to brown Wings: gray to brown; solid or spotted.
Ithytrichia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ithytrichia . 3 long, wispy, white gills filaments among the long hairs at hind end; front legs similar in length to others; claws long and thin, but segments before claws on front leg are very broad; case mostly silk, but usually covered with layer of sand.. .
Leucotrichia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Leucotrichia Ring Horn Microcaddis. Body strongly flattened from top to bottom w/dark hard parts and a dark, solid (no space/spots in middle) plate on top of each abdominal segs; mid segs of ab widen abruptly; portable purse-case of rock particles and/or silk; never longer than 6.5 mm. Len: 4.5 mm. Body: brown Wings: dark brown to black w/a few scattered light spots; white bands around antannae.
Species pictipes . . Body: brown Wings: dark brown to black w/scattered white spots Length: 4.5 mm..
Mayatrichia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Mayatrichia . Body rounded w/fringe of tiny hairs on sides of middle ab segs; anal prolegs are fairly well developed; large plates on top of all thoracic segments; case const of silk and cone-like.. .
Metrichia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Metrichia . . .
Neotrichia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Neotrichia (no common name). Body rounded w/fringe of tiny hairs on sides of middle ab segs; anal prolegs fairly well developed; large plates on top of all thoracic segments; fairly long, think middle and hind legs; silk cases that are covered in sand; length 2 mm.. Smallest caddisflies in North America..
Nothotrichia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Nothotrichia . New Western genus similar to Metrichia and Ochrotrichia.. .
Ochrotrichia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ochrotrichia Somber Microcaddis. Laterally flattened; plates covering tops of th. segs; 2nd seg b/f claw on foreleg very broad w/spiny lobe on underside; top of each ab seg w/plate w/oblong space at front;case w/2 silken halves conered w/fine sand; len <= 6.5 mm.. .
Oxyethira Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Oxyethira Cream & Brown Mottled Microcaddis. Habitat: generally found in lakes and standing waters or in low current areas of rivers, frequently in submerged beds of aquatic plants. Retreat: portable case, made of rock particles and/or silk; never longer than 6.5 mm.. Len: 3 mm. Body: pale greenish yellow Wings: mottled cream & brown.
Stactobiella Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Stactobiella . Flattened side to side; plates covering tops of th segs; front legs have lobe w/spines that broadens second segment before claw; curved claws w/tongue-like (stout and blunt) lobe at base; case 2 flat oval halves covered w/algae or fine sand.. .
Lepidostomatidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Lepidostomatidae Lepidostomatid case maker Retreat: portable case of plant mat., four-sided, cylindrical, or irregular. .
Lepidostoma Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Lepidostoma Little Plain Brown Sedge. No dorsal hump on 1st ab seg, only lateral humps; antennae very small and located just in front of eye; abdomen w/finger-like gills; portable cylindrical case made of sand,. Len: 10 mm. Body: brown to tawny yellow Wings: varying shades of brown.
Species cascadense . Abdomen w/ finger-like gills. Builds a tube case that may have a slight curve to it, but doesn't taper strongly from front to back. The case is made of somewhat loosely packed rock fragments, not tightly packed sand as with L. Pluviale Gr.. .
Species hoodi . Has almost spherical orange head, no gills on the abdomen. builds a relatively straight. Buils an untapered tube made of somewhat loosely packed rock fragments (not tightly packed sand as with L. Pluviale Gr.. .
Species Pluviale Gr. . Brown head; distinctive tapered and curved case made of fine, tightly packed sand grains.. .
Leptoceridae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Leptoceridae Longhorned case maker Retreat: portable case made of rock or plant material, of various shapes. Antannae much longer than body..
Ceraclea Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ceraclea Scaly Wing Sedge. Pair of curved dark lines " ) ( " on dorsal surface of meso-thorax; 3rd th seg w/o plates and only several hairs; hind legs are longer and slightly different in shape than others; cases made of sand wide at front, quickly tapering, lip over head.. Len: 13 mm. Body: straw yel to grn to almost black Wings: light to dark brown or light gray to almost black.
Mystacides Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Mystacides Black Dancer. Ventral apotome usually rectangular; portable case made of rock or plant material with a long stick attached lengthwise to the case; length: 9 mm.. Body yellow to dark brown; wings metallic black to dark brown; antenna incredibly long; Len: 9 mm..
Nectopsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Nectopsyche White Miller. Long prominent antennae; ventral apotome triangular in shape; hard parts of body fairly dark w/lighter spots; mid and hind legs quite long, hind legs skinny; case very long, straight, tubular, made of rock fragments and plant material.. Len: 17 mm. Body: wihite to pale green Wings: white to pale brown to gray.
Oecetis Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Oecetis Long-horn Sedge. Long maxillary palpi, elongate sickle-like mandibles, dorsal ab seg 1 w/pair of dark patches; back legs longer and thinner compared to the others; case curved cones made of rock fragments and sand, or pieces of plant or twigs.. Len: 12 mm. Body: yellow to brown Wings: straw yellow to brown.
Triaenodes Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Triaenodes (no common name). Head usually with pair of dark lines up middle; case long, tapered, of spirally arranged leaf and stem fragments.. .
Ylodes Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ylodes . Head usually with dark spots on a lighter background and an even lighter line at the back of the head; case long, tapered, of spirally arranged leaf and stem fragments.. .
Limnephilidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Limnephilidae Northern case maker Retreat: portable case made of excavared twig or plant material; prosternal horn present; 1st ab seg w/dirsal & lateral humps; sm. antenna ant of eye. Lay eggs masses above water level on plants and stones, where they are later washed into the water by rain,.
Allocosmoecus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Allocosmoecus . Short, thick, blunt-ended scale hairs on head ; 2 chloride epithelia (shiny patches) on underside of 2nd ab seg; branched gills on abdomen; femur on hind leg w/many long hairs; tibia w/several pairs of spines along underside; case made of pebbles.. .
Species partitus . . .
Amphicosmoecus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Amphicosmoecus . Only 3 dorsal plates on 3rd th seg (front 2 plates fused at middle); branched gills on ab w/2, 3, or 4 branches; femur on hind leg w/many long hairs; tibia w/only one pair of spines; case a hollow twig w/ring of bark pieces at front end.. .
Species canax . . .
Anabolia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Anabolia . . .
Arctopora Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Arctopora . . .
Asynarchus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Asynarchus . Light blotches on head; branched gills with 2, 3, or 4 filaments on ab segs; femur of hind legs only has two long hairs on underside; oval chloride epithelia on top of most ab segs; case a tube of rock pieces or plant matl oriented lenthwise.. .
Chyrandra Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Chyrandra Pale Western Stream Sedge. Head dark brown; 4 small plates on top of 3rd th seg; sclerite at base of lat humps so large it partially surrounds base of hump; giills on ab single filaments; mid & hind leg w/2 long hairs on underside of femur, only 1 spine at end of tibia.. Len: 14 mm. Body: straw yellow Wings: light mottled brown.
Species centralis . Case made from large pieces of leaves or thin bark, stuck together along the sides, looks something like a slightly flattened oval in cross section.. .
Clistoronia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Clistoronia Early Summer Lake Sedge. Habitat: lakes, ponds and areas of reduced current. Retreat: portable case made of excavared twig or plant material.. .
Clostoeca Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Clostoeca . Hard parts smooth, shiny, and fairly evenly reddish or yellowish brown; pair of sclerites may be present at top and to rear of tateral humps; single (unbranched) gill filaments on ab segs; broad, flat cases made from a few large pieces of leaves;. .
Species disjuncta . . .
Cryptochia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Cryptochia . Bushy fringe of long hairs on front of pronotum; flat head w/dense diamond-shaped ring of hairs on top; case spongy, flattened, tapered resembling arrowhead, buoyant, allowing larva to float until lodged onto suitable food source; semi-aquatic.. .
Desmona Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Desmona . 2 small, doughnut-shaped sclerites located at upper hind corner of lat humps; single unbranched gill filaments on ab segs; make cases from small rock fragments and plant pieces, creating relatively straight sided tube; leave water at night to feed!. .
Dicosmoecus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Dicosmoecus October Caddis; Great Orange Caddis. Gills on ab segs w/2, 3, or 4 branches; femur on hind leg w/many long hairs; chloride epithelium (usually a shiny oval) on underside of 1st ab seg; case a long slightly curved untapered tube.. Len: 30 mm. Body: reddish orange Wings: mottled gray and brown (translucent).
Species atripes . Stout spines on front edge of pronotum; minuscule spines covering top of head and pronotum, giving them a fuzzy appearance.. Emergence: mid-Sep thru mid-Oct.
Species gilvipes . Stout spines on front edge of pronotum (particularly at the corners); absence of minuscule spines on top of head and pronotum; subject to predation by Harlequin ducks!. Emergence: early-Sep thru mid-Oct.
Ecclisocosmoecus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ecclisocosmoecus Early Western Mottled Sedge. Rounded, reddish brown head w/grainy or pebbly texture; pronotum highly rounded and constricted at back; 4 small plates on metanotum, 2 rearmost w/2 hairs between them; case long, tubular, often curved, of sand and rock fragments. .
Species scylla . Tends to be found buried in the gravel and sand of small mountain streams.. .
Ecclisomyia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ecclisomyia Early Western Mottled Sedge. Long thin bodies; single gills on abdomen; particularly large sclerites on metanotum, the distance between the 2 rearmost usually less than twice their width.. Len: 20 mm. Body: green Wings: mottled brown.
Eocosmoecus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Eocosmoecus . 4 distinct dorsal plates on 3rd th seg; hairs across front edge of pronotum nonexistent in middle, shorter toward corners; branched gills on ab w/2, 3, or 4 branches; femur on hind leg w/many long hairs; tibia w/only one pair of spines.. .
Species frontalis . Builds a case of thick pieces of wood.. .
Species schmidi . Builds its case out of rock fragments.. .
Glyphopsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Glyphopsyche (no common name). Retreat: portable case made of excavared twig or plant material.. .
Grammotaulius Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Grammotaulius . Inhabits stillwaters.. .
Grensia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Grensia . Inhabits stillwaters.. .
Species praeterita . . .
Halesochila Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Halesochila . Inhabits stillwaters.. .
Species taylori . . .
Hesperophylax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Hesperophylax Silver Stripe Sedge. Some gills on ab have 5 or more branches; hind leg femora w/only 2 major hairs on underside, tibia w/only 1 pair of spines on underside, located near front of seg; mostly straight case of sand and rock fragments (m/b some wood pieces).. Len: 34 mm. Body: yellow to amber Wings: cream and light brown pattern, with a long, silver stripe along them..
Homophylax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Homophylax . 4 small plates on top of 3rd th seg; gills on ab unbranched filaments; humps on sides of 1st ab seg w/single, medium sized sclerite; hard parts light brown w/light spots on head; case smooth, cylindrical, of thin bark pieces, sometimes triangular.. .
Hydatophylax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Hydatophylax Giant Cream Pattern-wing Sedge. Only 3 small plates on top of 3rd th seg (front 2 fused); gills on ab unbranched; humps on side of 1st ab seg w/large sclerite; other tiny sclerites at bases of hairs near humps; hard parts generally light brown w/darker spots.. Len: 34 mm. Body: light ginger Wings: light brown b/g w/cream; nearly transparent.
Species hesperus . Roughly cylindrical case made out of a variety of sizes of wood and leaves.. .
Ironoquia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ironoquia Eastern Box Wing Sedge. Retreat: portable case made of excavared twig or plant material.. Len: 10 (20) mm. Body: golden brown Wings: golden brown.
Lenarchus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Lenarchus Dark Brown Stillwater Sedge. Habitat: Lakes, ponds and areas of reduced current. Retreat: portable case made of excavared twig or plant material. .
Limnephilus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Limnephilus Summer Flier Sedge. Light patches on top of head; branched gills of 2, 3, or 4 filaments; femurs of hind legs w/only two major hairs on underside; no chloride epithelia on top of any ab segs; case of sand, pebbls, wood or leaves, arranged lengthwise or stacked.. Len: 15 (20) mm. Body: ginger to brown Wings: ginger to rich reddish brown; not sexally mature upon emergence.
Nemotaulius Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Nemotaulius . Inhabit stillwaters.. .
Species hostilis . . .
Onocosmoecus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Onocosmoecus Great Late-summer Sedge. Branched gills on abdomen with 2, 3, or 4 branches; femur on hind leg w/ many long hairs; hairs across front edge of pronotum uniform in length; 4 distinct plates on top of 3rd th seg; case of thin pieces of wood, bark, and leaves.. Len: 28 Body: ginger to brown Wings: ginger to brown Emergence: late summer - early fall.
Species unicolor . Found in slower sections of cool streams and rivers but may live along some lake shores.. Cinnamon w/o patterning.
Philocasca Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Philocasca . Flattened, reddish brown, grainy textured head; large scale hairs on front edge of pronotum; small plates on top of meta-notum; cases are slightly curved tubes made of small bits of rock and sand; 1 species is semi-aquatic!. .
Pseudostenophylax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Pseudostenophylax . Flattened, brownish head; no scale hairs on front edge of pronotum; no small plates at base of lateral humps; 4 small plates on metanotum, with a line of hairs between back two; case slightly curved and tapered tube of small bits of rock and sand.. .
Species edwardsi . . .
Psychoglypha Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Psychoglypha Snow Sedge. Unbranched gill filiments on abdomen; 2 small plates (1 oblong, 1 circular) at top of base of lateral hump on ab seg 1; cases of pieces rock & wood pieces combined to form a straight sided tube that can be nearly 2" long.. Len: 24 mm. Body: light to dark brown Wings: brownish red with long silver streak running cent.
Species bella . Long dark head without spots; row of stout, amber colored spines on front edge of pronotum.. .
Species subborealis . Dark and light stripes on legs.. .
Pycnopsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Pycnopsyche Great Brown Autumn Sedge. Retreat: portable case made of excavared twig or plant material.. Len: 22 mm. Body: ginger Wings: yellow background w/brown shading.
Molannidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Molannidae Hood case maker Retreat: portable flanged hoodcase made of small rock particles or sand; dark bands on head. .
Odontoceridae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Odontoceridae Strong case maker Retreat: portable case of rock particles, cylindrical, tapering and/or curved; dorsal hump and no lateral humps on 1st ab; gills clusters of sm filmts. .
Namamyia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Namamyia . Flattened, pebbly head; rounded corners of pronotum; 6 clusters of hairs (most on small plates) on metanotum; ventral apotome wedge-shaped; long sand grain tube, slightly tapered and curved,w/hind end opening largely constricted w/sand grains... .
Species plutonis . . .
Nerophilus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Nerophilus . Head and front corners of pronotum rounded; 6 clusters of hairs on small plates on metanotum; 2 clusters of gills on the underside of 1st ab seg; apotome wedge-shaped; case a long sand grain tube slightly tapered and curved.. .
Species californicus . . .
Parthina Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Parthina . Large plates covering nearly all of pronotum & mesonotum; corners of pronotum end in sharp points; metanotum w/2 wide plates, one behind the other; case a long sand-grain tube, slightly tapered slightly and curved w/hind end opening unrestricted.. .
Philopotamidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Philopotamidae Fingernet maker Retreat: fixed, within silken net; labrum soft and t-shaped; pronotum w/posterior black band. .
Chimarra Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Chimarra Little Black Sedge. Distinctive notch at the front of its head slightly to right of centerline; sharply pointed projection sticking out from the base of fore coxa. Retreat: fixed, long tube of fine rectangular mesh.. Len: 8 mm. Body: very dark brown Wings: velvety black.
Dolophilodes Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Dolophilodes Medium Evening Sedge. Finger-like projection from body near base of fore leg; pair of small, thin hairs in middle of underside of head; no notch in the front margin of head; Retreat: fixed, within a silken net w/single layer of fine narrow rectangular mesh.. Len: 12 mm. Body: brown Wings: gray to brown w/ all graduations in between.
Wormaldia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Wormaldia Little Autumn Stream Sedge. Small, oblong plate flat against the skin just in front of base of the fore legs; pair of stout, black hairs in the middle of the underside of the head. Retreat: fixed, within silken net w/several layers of extremely fine mesh.. Len: 10 mm. Body: varying shades of olive brn Wings: uniformly gray in some species, brown in others.
Phryganeidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Phryganeidae Giant case maker Retreat: portable case, cyl. and/or crvd, spirlng or rngd layers, often w/twigs ext. pos.; head w/dark bands; posternal horn; median sternellum. .
Agrypnia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Agrypnia Great Dive-bomber Sedge. Habitat: lakes, ponds and areas of reduced current. Retreat: portable case, cylindrical. and/or curved, spiraling, often w/twigs extending posteriorally.. .
Banksiola Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Banksiola Traveller Sedge. Habitat: lakes, ponds and areas of reduced current. Meso- and metanota with pair of longitudinal, irregular dark bands. Retreat: case of spiral construction usually with trailing ends of plant material.. Len: 1.5 - 2' Emergence: late Jun - early Jul; hours: 11-3.
Phryganea Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Phryganea Rush Sedge. Head Iight colored w/two thin, dark stripes forming V along its length. Habitat: lakes, ponds and areas of reduced current. Retreat: portable case, cyl. and/or crvd, spirlng or rngd layers, often w/twigs ext. pos.. Len: 25 mm. Body: reddish brown Wings: conspicuous pattern of gray, brown, and yellow.
Ptilostomis Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ptilostomis Giant Rusty Sedge. Head light colored w/two thin, dark stripes along its length. head is light colored with two thin, dark stripes along its length. Habitat: case of spiral construction without trailing ends of plant material. Inhabits cool stream and lakes.. Len: 25 mm. Body: yellowish brown Wings: light reddish brown, no patterning.
Yphria Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Yphria . Plates on underside of the head are separated by a line rather than by a small plate. Large oval plate (2 plates mirroring each other) on top of middle thoracic segment. Retreat: fixed case of bits of rock & wood.. .
Species californica . . .
Polycentropodidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Polycentropodidae Trumpetnet & tubemaking Retreat: fixed, within silken net, interstitial tube, with silken catchnet; pointed fore trochantin. .
Neureclipsis Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Neureclipsis Little Red Twilight Sedge. Retreat: fixed, within silken net, interstitial tube, with silken catchnet.. Len: 9 mm. Body: straw yellow Wings: reddish brown.
Nyctiophylax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Nyctiophylax Dinky Light Summer Sedge. Several short teeth on underside of anal claws. Habitat: lakes and pools of streams. Retreat: made over depression in a rock or piece of wood, build a silk ceiling then lay a bed of silk on the substrate below the ceiling.. Len: 9 mm. Body: yellowish brown Wings: brown.
Polycentropus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Polycentropus Brown Checkered Summer Sedge. Prominent dark spots on head; Both segments of anal proleg are hairy, and fleshy segment (closest to the body) is longer than the second, sclerotized segment. Retreat: flimsy tube on bed of silk strands, or funnel-liike tube.. Len: 11 Body: yellowish brown to brown Wings: checkered light/dark brown pattern.
Psychomyiidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Psychomyiidae Nettube maker Retreat: fixed, within particle-covered tubes; broad hatched-shaped trochantin. .
Psychomyia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Psychomyia Dinky Purple-breasted Sedge. Hatchet-shaped projection at base of front legs; anal proleg claw w/long teeth on underside. Habitat: rivers and streams. Retreat: fixed, within particle-covered tubes.. Len: 6 mm. Body: straw yel w/purplish tinge Wings: light to dark brown.
Tinodes Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Tinodes . Hatchet-shaped projection at the base of front legs; no long teeth on claw of anal prolegs. Habitat: warmer, desert streams. Retreat: create long tubes of silk and sand as they scrape their way around a rock's surface.. .
Rhyacophilidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Rhyacophilidae Freeliving (no case) Retreat: none; body thick with deep constrictions between segments; large posterior claws. .
Himalopsyche Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Himalopsyche . Distinguished from Rhyacophila by tufts of gills on the thorax above the middle and hind pairs of legs; hard dorsal plates only on 1st thoracic segment and last abdominal segment; predatory; rare.. .
Species phryganea . . .
Rhyacophila Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Rhyacophila Green Sedge. Habitat: wide range of running-water habitats. Retreat: none, freeliving.. Len: 16 mm. Body: olive green Wings: mottled w/light and dark areas of gray and brown.
Species Alberta Gr. . Single, finger-like gills on the thorax (unique to Alberta Gr.) and on the abdomen. Claws on anal prolegs have teeth on inside edge, and head is smooth with prominent muscle scars.. .
Species Angelita Gr. . Single point at the end of right mandible, in combination with prominent spur off the side of anal proleg, an extension of the plate on the anal proleg and projecting parallel to proleg (not out to the side). Head dark in back and light in front.. .
Species Betteni Gr. . No gills in combo with head depressed in front as viewed from the side, in combo with with long antennae-like mouthparts (palps) curving out the front.. .
Species Brunnea-Vemna Gr. . Distinguished from other freeliving caddisflies by the 3 clusters of gills on each side of most abdominal segments.. .
Species Coloradensis Gr. . Distinguished by forked (not single), short fleshy lobes on the sides of most abdominal segments. The claws of the anal prolegs have large, forked teeth on the underside. The head is more square in shape.. .
Species Ecosa Gr. . Distinguished by long, narrow, parallel sided head. Anal claw has no teeth, and anal proleg has no spur off the sides with only a short hook at the base.. .
Species grandis

grand-iss

. . Emergence: Jul.
Species Grandis Gr. . Distinguished by two clusters of gills on each side of most abdominal segments. Front 2/3 of the head usually dark and the posterior mostly light in color. Pronotum is usually light with a dark stripe down the middle.. .
Species Hyalinata Gr. . prolegs have a strong spike that extends nearly perpendicular to the prolegs; fleshy extension or bump on each side of each abdominal segment; distinctively shaped head with a dark "V" shape on top.. .
Species Lieftincki Gr. . Distinguished by dark V-shaped patch on its head; single point at end of each mandible; apico-lateral spur that sticks out almost perpendicular to the anal proleg.. .
Species Nevadensis Gr. . Top of the head often with a darkened "V" toward front; no gills on abdomen; two teeth at the tip of the right mandible, three teeth at tip of left mandible and a wavy inside edge; well developed plate on the underside of the anal prolegs.. .
Species Oreta Gr. . Underside of head darrk; single tooth at end of both mandibles; no gills on abdomen; line that angles across side of anal proleg, and a short line runningfrom middle of it toward top rear corner of the anal proleg.. .
Species Rotunda Gr. . Head and pronotum with prominent dark muscle scars; underside of the head fairly light in color ; single tooth at end of each mandible, no gills on abdomen; line angling across anal proleg + ofshoot; underside of each anal claw has a couple teeth.. .
Species Sibirica Gr. . May or may not have a spur on side of anal prolegs, may have one, two, or three teeth on their right mandible. However, there are no species in this group that have gills on their abdomen.. .
Species Vagrita Gr. . Single tooth at the end of their mandibles; no gills on abdomen; well developed hook at the base of anal prolegs; only a single, dark line angling across the side of the anal proleg; no prominent teeth on underside of anal claws.. .
Species Verrula Gr. . Distinguished by nearly spherical head with many muscle scars; other Rhyacophila larvae known as voracious predatorsbut Verrula Gr. Feed on mosses, filamentous algae, diatoms, and water cress.. .
Species Vofixa Gr. . Distinguished by fairly short, finger-like gills on abdomen; rounded head w/grainy texture when viewed from top; right mandible w/more than one tooth at end; no prominent spur on side of the anal proleg.. .
Rossianidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Rossianidae Rossianid case maker . .
Goereilla Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Goereilla . Rounded head & pronotum w/rough pebbly texture; small plate above base of mid legs modified into a thick, rounded lobe and covered in sharp spines; two pair of plates in middle top of 2nd th. seg.: abdomen w/single gill filiments on most segments.. .
Species baumanni . Retreaat: tubes of sand and rock fragments that are slightly tapered and slightly curved, hole at the hind end mostly open, but has a ring of silk with spikes pointing toward the middle.. .
Rossiana Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Rossiana . Head is almost T-shaped, flattened on top and flanged out to sides; prothorax w/depression on each side; top of middle thoracic segment w/large plates on each side with exposed skin in between; abdomen w/single gill filaments on most segments.. .
Species montana . Retreat: rough tube rock fragments slightly tapered and curved w/hole at the hind end constricted by sand and silk to a small, round opening.. .
Sericostomatidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Sericostomatidae Bushtailed case maker Retreat: portable case of rock particles, cylindrical, tapering and/or curved. .
Uenoidae Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Uenoidae Uenoidid case maker . .
Farula Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Farula . Body thin; deep, rounded indentation at front of mesonotum; dark lines at back of mesonotum stretch l/t half way toward front; ab2 w/cluster of filaments on side near front; case a long thin tapered curved smooth-sided tube of tightly packed sand.. .
Neophylax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Neophylax Autumn Mottled Sedge. Body stout w/wide but shallow indentation at front edge of the mesonotum; case short, thick, made with large rock fragments, and weighted down with large pebbles on sides.. Len: 18 mm. Body: brownish yellow Wings: mottled brown.
Species occidentis . Pronotum: front 1/3 light, rear 2/3 darl. fow of 8, evenly spaced spines at front edge with only a few scattered hairs on rest of pronotum.. .
Species rickeri . Head and legs very black; short stout black setae scattered evenly across entire surface of pronotum;. Emergence: Oct.
Species splendens . Pronotum w/fewer, dark, thick setae concentrated towards back; gills along sides of abdomen; prominent gill-like filaments on the underside of ab1.. Emergence: Oct.
Neothremma Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Neothremma . Long, thin bodies w/deep, rounded indentation at front of mesonotum; dark lines at back of mesonotum stretch at least half way toward front; ab2 has a fairly even row of hair-like filaments on each side.. .
Oligophlebodes Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Oligophlebodes Little Western Dark Sedge. Body thick; mesonotum w/wide, shallow indentation at front edge; ridge around sides and back of the pronotum; abdomen w/pinkish-brown hue; habitat: turbulent mountain streams; case strongly curved and tapered or sand and rock fragments.. Len: 8 mm. Body: yellow to dark brown Wings: solid brown to black.

Created: 10/01/2004   Last modified: 08/25/2006   www.FlyfishingEntomology.com