Trichoptera

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    Key to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Utah - Trichoptera

    Organisms in the Trichoptera Order are commonly known as caddisflies. Caddiesflies are known for their ability to produce silk which they use to construct cases (made from sand, rock fragments, and plant material) for shelter or to construct nets to catch food.  

    Caddisflies have a low tolerance to pollution, therefore their presence is often used as an indicator of good water quality.  For more information about using aquatic invertebrates as indicators of water quality please see Stream Side Science or Utah Water Watch

    (Family Name is Shown in Bolded Letters.) 

    Apataniidae (smoky wing sedge)

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    Description8-12 mm in size. Apataniidae have blade-like mandibles and a short antennae located between eye and anterior margin of head. Cases are often round and made from small mineral material.

    HabitatTypically found in cold springs and streams and occasionally in cold lakes.

    Brachycentridae (grannoms)

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    Description6-15 mm in length. Brachycentridae have no abdominal humps on 1st abdominal segment.  Middle and hind legs may be longer than front legs. Cases can be tapered, square, or round and made from vegetation, bark, or sand.

    HabitatOccur primarily in cool running waters.

    Glossosomatidae (saddlecase maker, little black caddisfly)

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    Description3-10 mm in length. Glossosmatidae have short anal prolegs and a sclerotized plate on abdominal segment 9.  They lack gills. Cases are like turtle-shell domes made from loosely spaced small pebbles.

    HabitatFound primarily in cool streams and rivers.

    Helicopsychidae

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    Description3-8 mm in length. Helicopsychidae have a comb-like claw on anal prolegs. Case is distinctly shaped like a snail shell.

    HabitatOccur in a wide variety of streams and lake littoral zones.

    Hydropsychidae

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    Description10-20+ mm in length. Hydropsychidae have well developed sclerotized plates on all thoracic segments, branched filamentous gills on abdomen, and prolegs with tuft of hairs. They do not build cases.  They build small shanties with elaborate nets to catch food.

    HabitatGenerally inhabit flowing waters.

    Hydroptilidae (micro caddisflies)

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    Description2-6 mm in length. Hydroptilidae have sclerotized plates on all thoracic segments,  abdominal segments may be expanded, generally without gills. Case is purse or barrel shaped, generally made from sand.

    HabitatOccur in all types of waters, including springs, streams, ponds, and lakes.

    Lepidostomatidae (little brown sedges)

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    Description7-12 mm in length. Lepidostomatidae are recognized by the closeness of the antennae to the eye, a well developed pro-sternal horn and lack of a dorsal hump on abdominal segment 1. Case  is made from sand or vegetation, round or tapered.

    HabitatCan occur in a variety of habitats, but most commonly found in cold streams.

    Leptoceridae

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    Description7-15 mm in length. Leptoceridae are very slender with hind legs longer than other legs. Case is elongated and made from vegetation and sand.

    HabitatOccur in warmer waters near aquatic vegetation.

    Limnephilidae (northern caddisflies)

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    Description6-30 mm in length. Limnephilidae are the largest of the caddisflies. They have a prosternal horn and an antennae located halfway between each eye. Cases can be many sizes and shapes, and made of vegetation or minerals.

    HabitatFound in all freshwater habitats and can be the dominant family in northern latitudes and higher elevations.

    Philopotamatidae 

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    Description10-15 mm in length. Philopotamatidae have an elongate head that is a brownish orange color and a strong ventral curl to abdomen.  The abdomen is white and no gills are present. They construct a silken case but are most often collected without a case.

    HabitatOccur in a variety of habitats, but most often in rapid streams.

    Phrygaenidae

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    Description20-40 mm in length. Phrygaenidae have an elongate head with bold stripes, and a prominent prosternal horn. Case is made of vegetation.

    HabitatMost typically inhabit ponds and wetlands or larger slow streams.

    Polycentropodidae

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    Description15-25 mm in length. Polycentropodidae have a pointed, well-developed trochantin.  Their abdomen has a lateral fringe of hairs and they often have spots on their heads. Case is silken trumpet shaped tube.  They also excavate tunnels in decaying wood.

    HabitatFound in a variety of flowing waters as well as lake margins.

    Psychomyiidae 

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    Description15-25 mm in length. Psychomyiidae have a broad hatchet shaped  trochantin, only pronotum has sclerotized plate case - silken retreats, with sand and detritus. Length 15-25 mm.

    HabitatOccur primarily in cool running waters.

    Rhyacophilidae (green sedge)

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    Description12-20 mm in length. Rhycophilidae have a sclerotized plate on the pronotum as well as a dorsal plate on abdominal segment 9, Their anal prolegs are well developed and gills are absent. They do not build a case.

    HabitatOccur in cool streams in fast water habitats.

    Sericostomatidae

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    Description15-25 mm in length. Sericostomatidae have a cluster of 30 dorsal hairs on anal prolegs.  Their head lacks pigmentation and they have a hook shaped protrochantin. Case has a cornucopia shape and made from sand and rock pieces.

    HabitatOccur mostly in flowing waters, but a few species inhabit lake shorelines.

    Uenoidae

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    Description10-15 mm in length. Uenoidae have an elongate pronotum and a notch in the anterior of the sclerotized mesonotum. Case is made from coarse rock fragments and are short and stout. 

    HabitatOccur primarily in cold, higher elevation streams.

     

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