Small Dark Caddis - BugGuide.Net

Dolophilodes ID

Thanks to Thomas's caution about this specimen, I took some time to learn a bit more about Wormaldia moesta. In that species, F1 of the forewing is long and originates at the discoidal cell ("sessile"). It also has silky hairs on the hind femora. It is usually a univoltine spring emerger. Dolophilodes distinctus, on the other hand, has a fairly short F1 that originates on a stem beyond the discoidal cell ("petiolate," as in this specimen) and has a very extended emergence--summer and winter.

For these reasons, I believe that the original identification was correct. (And the source I checked earlier for distribution was incomplete; D. distinctus is recorded for Ontario.)

… Lloyd Gonzales, 20 September, 2009 - 10:50pm

Moved, since that's what you both agree on.

I figured out a way to highly magnify specimens as though looking through a scope. If I can know what to look for, I can give those features a shot.

… Stephen Luk, 27 July, 2008 - 9:25pm

If you have the specimen...

the anal veins of the hindwing are one way to differentiate between Dolophilodes and Wormaldia. I just checked one set of records for Ontario, and (unlike Dolophilodes) W. moesta is recorded. If you can produce a clear shot of the hindwing, perhaps Dave Ruiter would be willing to look at it and offer a definitive ID.

… Lloyd Gonzales, 27 July, 2008 - 10:23pm

Cool!

Thanks again for your identifications. I reason it should be quite safe to move to species level, given the ubiquity of this caddis!

… Stephen Luk, 23 July, 2008 - 11:21am

Not so fast!

I've taken photographs of both Dolophilodes distinctus and Wormaldia moesta (both in the same family). The only way I could tell them apart was to send the specimens out for an id under the scope. I'd call this a philopotamid caddisfly and leave it at that.

… Bugei, 27 July, 2008 - 8:36pm

I agree

My comments were not intended as a species ID. I was not aware that W. moesta was a look-alike, so my suggestion of Dolophilodes as a probable genus was also premature.

… Lloyd Gonzales, 27 July, 2008 - 9:22pm

Dolophilodes

Size, the long flexible 5th maxillary segment, the long leg spurs, and the gold-spotted wing all seem to indicate Dolophilodes. D. distinctus is a very common and widespread species. The one distribution list that I checked doesn't show this genus recorded for Ontario yet, which is a bit surprising.

… Lloyd Gonzales, 23 July, 2008 - 9:10am