THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource

Perlodidae larvae are predators that inhabit fast-flowing waters with rocky substrate and are sometimes found at the edges of large cold lakes with stony shorelines. Larvae may also be found in leafpacks, which provide both a hiding place and a variety of prey.

Perlodids have large patterned bodies and may be mistaken for Perlidae. However, perlodids lack the tufted thoracic gills seen in the Perlidae, and have only one or two finger-like gills between the legs and sometimes on the neck and under the head.