Family Limnephilidae - Northern Caddisflies

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Internet References

multi-hued caddisfly - Limnephilus ornatus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

Family Limnephilidae (Northern Caddisflies)

Explanation of Names

LIMNEPHILIDAE: from the Greek "limne" (a pool; marsh) + "philos" (loving); a reference to the larval habitat

Numbers

293 species in 46 genera in North America (Nearctica.com)

Size

adult body 7-23 mm

Identification

adult: ocelli present; maxillary palpi 3-segmented in males, 5-segmented in females; wings ususally brown with mottling or stripes; antennae usually as short as or shorter than wings

larvae: antennae located midway between the bases of the mandibles and the eyes; first abdominal tergite is humped

larval cases vary widely in appearance and may be constructed of leaves, stems, moss, bark, sand, or pieces of snail shells

(adapted from "How to Know the Insects", Roger Bland, 1978)

Range

northern US and Canada

Habitat

larvae live in slow-moving streams, ponds, and marshes

adults rest on vegetation near these habitats during the day, and fly at night (may be attracted to lights)

Season

adults fly from May to October/November

Internet References

pinned adult images of 3 Limnephilidae genera (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)

live adult image of holarctic species, Limnephilus rhombicus (U. of Maastricht, Netherlands)

preserved adult image (McGill U.)

adult image of female Limnephilus species from the UK (bioimages.org.uk)

adult image of male Limnephilus species from the UK (bioimages.org.uk)

larva and case image (U. of Saskatchewan)

Michigan species list (U. of Michigan)

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 19 February, 2005 - 4:02pm
Last updated 6 October, 2005 - 10:48pm

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