Trichoptera (Caddisflies) Flashcards
Family name?
*Key Characteristic: Pronotal plate; short, fused prolegs
FFG: Grazer/Scraper of Rocks
Case is distinct; made of small pebbles
Prolegs hang out of the back of the case
Glossosomatidae (Saddlecase Makers)
Family name?
*Key Characteristic: Unusual silk case; 3 thoracic plates, no gills; abdomen looks “puffy” in final instar.
Tiny! < 6 mm
FFG: Herbivorous Grazers & Collectors
Hydroptilidae (Micro-Caddisflies)
Family name?
*Key Characteristic: Flat Labrum (used as a rake); black line at the posterior of the pronotum
FFG: Collector of FPOM on tube nets
Philopotamidae (Finger Net Caddisflies)
Family name?
*Key Characteristic:
Trochantin on the prothorax (near coxa) that is hatchet-shaped;
(pronotum not bordered posteriorly by a black line)
FFG: Grazers & Collectors
Psychomyiidae (Net-Tube Caddisfly)
Family name?
*Key Characteristics: Ventral gills, 1 anal proleg (looks like 2 fused at the base), & 3 dorsal plates
FFG: Collector of FPOM (Suspension feeders)
Spins a “catchnet” to collect FPOM
Hydropsychidae (Common Netspinners)
Family name?
*Key Characteristics: Pointed trochantin; long anal prolegs; mesonotum not sclerotized
FFG: Predators & Collectors
Polycentropodidae (Trumpet Makers)
Family name?
Key Characteristic: Short antennae close to eyes; lateral hump on 1st abdominal segment; tapered case made of bits of plants
FFG: Detritivores
Lepidostomatidae
Family name?
Key Characteristics: Mesonotal plate looks fractured; pronotum with a transverse furrow
FFG: Filter feeders in riffles & shredders
Brachycentridae (Humpless Case Makers)
Family name?
Key Characteristic: Striped head; prosternal horn; sternal and lateral humps; patched spiral case of bark & leaves
FFG: Predators
Legs hang out of the case to swirl, creating a vortex that brings in zooplankton. Fairly large size.
Phryganeidae (Giant Case Makers)
Family name?
Key Characteristic: Case looks like a snail shell
FFG: Scraper of periphyton (herbivore)
Helicopsychidae
