Case-constructing

Guides

• Limnephilidae

  Northern Caddisflies, Northern Caddis Flies

  Limnephilidae is a large family of case-constructing caddisflies comprising approximately 100 genera and nearly 900 described species. Adults are typically brown with narrow, often patterned forewings and broader transparent hindwings. Larvae construct portable cases from diverse plant and mineral materials, with case composition varying by habitat temperature and water flow. The family exhibits exceptional ecological diversity, with larvae occupying nearly all freshwater habitats including a remarkable terrestrial genus, Enoicyla, whose larvae live in woodland leaf litter.

  caddisflyTrichopterafreshwatercase-constructingbioindicatornorthern-temperateEnoicylaterrestrial-caddisflyunivoltinealgaescavengerintegripalpia