Family Limnephilidae - Northern Caddisflies

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

caddisfly - Limnephilus rhombicus - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

Suborder Integripalpia

Superfamily Limnephiloidea

Family Limnephilidae (Northern Caddisflies)

Explanation of Names

Greek limne 'pool, marsh' + philos 'loving' (a reference to the larval habitat)

Numbers

>300 spp. in ca. 50 genera in our area(1), 44 spp. in 17 genera in MI(2)

Size

adult body 7-23 mm

Identification

adult: ocelli present; maxillary palpi 3-segmented in males, 5-segmented in females; wings usually 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(3))

Range

n. 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

(4)

Works Cited

1.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico By Ross H. Arnett

2.	Aquatic Insects of Michigan, by Ethan Bright

3.	How to Know the Insects By Roger G. Bland, H.E. Jaques

4.	Trichoptera World Checklist, maintained by J.C. Morse

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 19 February, 2005 - 4:02pm
Additional contributions by v belov
Last updated 3 January, 2011 - 2:02pm

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