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The Hydropsychidae are one of the caddisfly families that build a fixed shelter instead of a portable case. They spin a "fishing" net near the front opening of the shelter, in which they capture tiny organisms and bits of organic debris that flow with the current. You will rarely see this shelter in a sample because it looks like debris, and the larvae rarely remain within the retreat after being collected.
Their tolerance to human disturbance ranges widely. Most genera are limited to the faster flowing waters of cold streams and rivers, but some can occur in wetlands.
Hydropsychid larvae are very distinctive, with a slightly curved body, and a large plate covering the top of each thoracic segment. They also have clusters of gills on the underside of the abdominal segments, although these may be absent in small early instar larvae. Identification to genus and species is not difficult, but the key characters are sometimes not developed in extremely immature specimens.
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Size: large to xlarge
Identifying feature(s): distinctive curved body; a large plate covering the top of each thoracic segment; bushy gills along abdomen
Habitat: most genera occur in cold streams and rivers; one can be found in intermittent streams; another in warmer waters.
Tolerance to pollutants: moderate to tolerant
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Jointed legs
