Family Hydropsychidae - Netspinning Caddisflies

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Range · Habitat · Food · Remarks · Works Cited

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

Suborder Annulipalpia

Superfamily Hydropsychoidea

Family Hydropsychidae (Netspinning Caddisflies)

Explanation of Names

Hydropsychidae Curtis 1835

see Hydropsyche

Numbers

~160 spp. in 11 genera in our area(1), almost 1000 spp. in ~60 genera total

Size

adults 6-19 mm

Range

worldwide

Habitat

larvae in streams and rivers, adults in nearby vegetation

Food

larvae feed on algae, diatoms, crustaceans, and immature aquatic insects that are swept by the current into their silken nets

Remarks

larvae do not build a case; they seek shelter in debris and under stones, and spin a concave silken net, facing upstream, at the entrance to their retreat, then position themselves at the downstream end of the net to await prey

Works Cited

1.	Distributional checklist of Nearctic Trichoptera (2022 revision) Rasmussen A.K., Morse J.C. 2023. FAMU, Tallahassee. 519 pp.

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 18 March, 2005 - 6:51am
Additional contributions by v belov
Last updated 18 January, 2022 - 6:28pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2025 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version