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Invertebrate Photographs - Trichoptera (caddisflies)

The Trichoptera are one of the largest groups of aquatic insects and closely related to the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). All of the families are found in cool, running waters and some have adapted to slower and warmer waters. They are known for their portable cases, nets or retreats, and caddisfly families can be classified into the following groups: Free living (Rhyacophilidae), Saddle-case makers (Glossosomatidae), 3) Purse-case makers (Hydroptilidae), 4) Net-Spinners (Philopotamidae, Psychomyiidae, Polycentropodidae, and Hydropsychidae), and 5) Tube-case makers (Phryganeidae, Brachycentridae, Limnephilidae, Uenoidae, Leptoceridae, Helicopsychidae, Odontoceridae).

We have photos of the following families below: Glossosomatidae, Hydropsychidae, Limnephilidae, Lepidostomatidae, Leptoceridae, Philopotamidae, Phyrganeidae, Polycentropodidae, Rhyacophilidae, and Uenoidae. For a more extensive look, visit our Web page on caddisfly families.

Caddisflies (Trichoptera)

Glossosomatidae

Glossosoma sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Glossosoma sp.
ESC
Note membranous mesonotum and metanotum
Glossosoma sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Glossosoma sp.
ESC
Note anal claw with dorsal hook

Hydropsychidae

Cheumatopsyche sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Cheumatopsyche sp.
ESC
Cheumatopsyche sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Cheumatopsyche sp.
ESC
Diplectrona sp. Trichoptera - photo by EcoAnalysts
Diplectrona sp.

Limnephilidae

Platycentropus sp. - Trichoptera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Platycentropus sp.
ESC

Platycentropus sp. - Trichoptera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Platycentropus sp.
ESC

Pycnopsyche sp. Limnephilidae - photo by EcoAnalysts
Pycnopsyche sp.
Ironoquia sp. - Trichoptera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Ironoquia sp.
ESC
Ironoquia sp. - Trichoptera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Ironoquia sp.

ESC
Ironoquia sp. - Trichoptera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Ironoquia sp.
ESC

Lepidostomatidae

Lepidostoma sp. Lepidostomatidae - photo by EcoAnalysts
Lepidostoma sp.

Leptoceridae

Oecetis sp.- Trichopera - photo by EcoAnalysts
Oecetis sp.

Oecetis sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Oecetis sp.
ESC

Oecetis sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Oecetis sp.
ESC

Philopotamidae

Caddisfly (Trichoptera) - photo by Wayne Davis
Philopotamidae
Dolophilodes sp.  Philopotamidae - photo by EcoAnalysts
Dolophilodes sp.

Phryganeidae

Agrypnia sp. Phryganeidae - photo by EcoAnalysts
Agrypnia sp.

Polycentropodidae

Polycentropus sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Polycentropus sp.
ESC
Note membranous mesonotum and metanotum
Polycentropus sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Polycentropus sp.
ESC
Note: Pointed fore trochantin.

Neuroclipsis sp. Polycentropodidae - photo by EcoAnalysts

Neuroclipsis sp.

Ryachophilidae

Ryacophila sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Ryacophila carolina gr.
ESC
Ryacophila sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Ryacophila carolina gr.
ESC

Uenoidae

Neophylax sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Neophylax sp.
ESC
Neophylax sp.- Trichopera - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Neophylax sp.
ESC

Caddisfly in cases - photo by Wayne Davis
Caddisfly (Trichoptera) in cases
Caddisfly (Trichoptera) pupae - photo by Wayne Davis
Pupae in case
Caddisfly (Trichoptera) cases - photo by Wayne Davis
Different types of cases

Feel free to use these photographs on any of your government, citizen or not-for-profit Web sites. I only ask that you credit this Web site page and acknowledge the name of the photographer in the alt tag. Please email us if you need higher resolution photos or permissions for other purposes.

All photographs marked with ESC were taken at USEPA's Region 3 Environmental Science Center at Fort Meade, Maryland. Many thanks to Dr. Dave Russell, invertebrate biologist, for arranging the instruction and assistance with the use of the Olympus SZX12 miscroscope with an Olympus model DC330 optical mount. Other photos were taken under contract to EPA by EcoAnalysts, Inc. Also see our pages on caddisflies and caddisfly families for more information.

 

Biological Indicators | Aquatic Biodiversity | Statistical Primer


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