Explanation of Names
LIMNEPHILUS: from the Greek "limne" (a pool; marsh) + "philos" (loving); a reference to the larval habitat
Numbers
109 species in North America (
nearctica.com)
17 species in Michigan (
U. of Michigan)
9 species in Ontario (NHIC
query form)
species diversity greater in the west and north - Saskatchewan and Yukon (27 species each), Alaska (33), Montana (35)
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 United States and most of Canada
also occurs throughout Eurasia
Habitat
larvae of most species 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 in the south; June to September in the far north
Food
larvae are filter feeders of detritus in the water
Internet References
live adult image of holarctic species,
Limnephilus rhombicus ((U. of Maastricht, Netherlands)
pinned adult images of 2 species (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)
distribution; PDF doc (Glenn Wiggins and Charles Parker, Caddisflies of the Yukon)
list of species in Alaska (U. of Alaska at Fairbanks)
list of species in Montana (Daniel Gustafson, Montana State U.)
