THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource
fdsf
  Identify taxaJointed legsSix legsTrichopteraUncommon in wetlands
 

Brachycentridae
(humpless case makers)

lacks dorsal or lateral humps on first abdominal segment; often small; make square or tubular cases from plants, sand, or silk

 


       
 

Calamoceratidae
(comblipped case makers)

prefer slack water in streams; have a row of approximately 16 stout hairs across the middle of the labrum; case made from a single piece of hollowed wood or bark

  
       
 

Glossosomatidae
(saddle or tortoise case makers)

first thoracic segment covered by a plate; mesonotum and metanotum more than half fleshy, lack continuous plates; anal prolegs are short but well developed; dome-shaped case made from small rocks

 
       
 

Lepidostomatidae (lepidostomatid case makers)

first abdominal segment has lateral humps but lacks dorsal hump; more than half of mesonotum is covered with plates; metanotum mostly fleshy; cases vary in shape and material.

  
       
  Molannidae
(hoodcase makers)

distribution is northern and eastern; not likely in Northwest; cases have lateral wings and a hood; the claw on the hind leg is modified as a short, hairy stub or a long, thin filament		  
     
  Odontoceridae
(strongcase makers)

dorsal and lateral humps on first abdominal segment; short prolegs; small plates on top of third thoracic segment, but no notch in front of mid-thoracic plate; lack prosternal horn or long antennae; plate on top of ninth abdominal segment; case is round tube of sand and rock.		  
       
 
Philopotamidae
(fingernet caddisflies)
anal prolegs long and well developed; only the first thoracic segment is covered by a plate; yellowish body; fleshy, white, T-shaped labrum on front of head is unique to the family, though not always obvious; foretrochantin varies
  
     

 
  Psychomyiidae
(nettube caddisflies)

anal prolegs long and well developed; only the first thoracic segment is covered by a plate; foretrochantin is uniquely hatchet-shaped; body usually pinkish but head not spotted; top of last abdominal segment lacks hard plate; labrum is not fleshy and T-shaped		  
       
  Rhyacophilidae
(free-living caddisflies, green rock worms)

anal prolegs long and well developed; only the first thoracic segment is covered by a plate; foretrochantin is not well developed; greenish body; abdomen has deep constrictions at each segment 		 
     
 
Sericostomatidae
(bushtailed case makers)

dorsal and lateral humps; short prolegs; small plates on top of third thoracic segment, but no notch in front of mid-thoracic plate; without long antennae; without sharp processes on the sides of the middle thoracic segments
  

 
fdsf

© 2007 Xerces Society
Contact info@xerces.org