Culoptila

Mosely, 1954

Culoptila is a of in the Glossosomatidae, established by Mosely in 1954. The genus occurs in Central America and the United States. Larvae construct portable cases using sand grains and silk, characteristic of saddle-case makers. At least one , Culoptila cantha, has been documented with a trivoltine in Texas streams.

Habitat

Freshwater lotic environments including large river riffles. Documented from the Brazos River in north-central Texas and various streams in Colombia (Boyacá, Antioquia, Chocó, Huila, Cundinamarca, Risaralda, Tolima).

Distribution

Central America and the United States. Specific records include: United States (Texas, Brazos River); Colombia (Boyacá, Antioquia, Chocó, Huila, Cundinamarca, Risaralda, Tolima).

Life Cycle

For Culoptila cantha: predominately trivoltine with an over-wintering spanning 6-7 months and warm-season generations spanning 2-3 months. , larvae of all instars, pupae, and have been described.

Behavior

Larvae exhibit case-building , constructing portable cases using sand grains and silk. Case reconstruction progression has been documented in Culoptila cantha.

More Details

Taxonomic History

The was revised by Blahnik and Holzenthal in 2006 (Zootaxa 1233: 1-52). Fossil evidence includes the first caddisfly from Mexican amber, described by Wichard, Solórzano Kraemer, and Luer in 2006.

Study Limitations

Most detailed biological information derives from studies of Culoptila cantha in Texas; -level generalizations are limited. Colombian distribution records from GBIF lack associated biological data.