Hydroptilidae
Guides
Dibusa
microcaddisfly
Dibusa is a genus of microcaddisflies in the family Hydroptilidae, established by Ross in 1939. The genus is monotypic, containing a single described species, Dibusa angata. This species exhibits a highly specialized ecological relationship, being obligately associated with the freshwater red alga Lemanea australis throughout its larval development. The genus represents a narrow example of host-specific adaptation within the diverse microcaddisfly fauna.
Hydroptila
microcaddisflies
Hydroptila is a large genus of microcaddisflies (family Hydroptilidae) with worldwide distribution. Adults are small, typically collected using ultraviolet light traps near freshwater habitats. Larvae are known as "purse-case makers" that construct portable cases from silk and environmental materials such as filamentous algae. The genus exhibits substantial species diversity, with numerous regional endemics documented across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Hydroptila arctia
Hydroptila arctia is a species of microcaddisfly in the family Hydroptilidae, first described by Ross in 1938. It belongs to the diverse genus Hydroptila, which comprises numerous small caddisfly species found across various aquatic habitats. The species is known from North America and has been recorded in both Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Hydroptila callia
microcaddisfly
Hydroptila callia is a species of microcaddisfly described by Denning in 1948. It belongs to the family Hydroptilidae, the smallest caddisflies, characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive larval cases. The species is known from North America, with its type locality in the United States. Like other hydroptilids, adults are minute insects typically associated with freshwater habitats.
Ithytrichia
Ithytrichia is a genus of microcaddisflies (family Hydroptilidae) established by Eaton in 1873. The genus contains at least two described species, I. aquila and I. bosniaca. Members of this genus are found in Europe and the Americas, with distribution records from Colombia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Like other Hydroptilidae, these are small caddisflies with reduced wing venation.
Leucotrichiinae
Leucotrichiinae is a subfamily of microcaddisflies (Hydroptilidae) in the order Trichoptera. The subfamily includes genera such as Betrichia and Mejicanotrichia, distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Diagnostic characteristics involve features of the antennae, wing venation, and male genitalia. Larvae of at least some genera are dorsoventrally flattened with numerous broad setae and inhabit high-flow aquatic environments.
Metrichia
Metrichia is a genus of microcaddisflies in the family Hydroptilidae, established by Ross in 1938. The genus belongs to the tribe Ochrotrichiini and is distributed across northern South America, with confirmed records from Colombia. As with other hydroptilids, adults are minute with reduced wing venation and larvae construct portable, silken cases.
Nothotrichia
Nothotrichia is a genus of microcaddisflies in the family Hydroptilidae, established by Flint in 1967. The genus belongs to the subfamily Hydroptilinae and is characterized by distinctive morphological features that separate it from related genera. As with other Hydroptilidae, members are small-bodied caddisflies with reduced wing venation.
Ochrotrichia
microcaddisfly
Ochrotrichia is a large genus of microcaddisflies (family Hydroptilidae) comprising approximately 226 extant species, making it the most species-rich microcaddisfly genus in the Neotropics. The genus is predominantly distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with one exceptional African record from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Species are primarily found in freshwater stream habitats.
Ochrotrichiinae
microcaddisflies
Ochrotrichiinae is a subfamily of microcaddisflies within the family Hydroptilidae, comprising approximately 430 species across nine genera. The subfamily is most diverse in the Neotropics, with additional representation in the Nearctic and Australasian regions, including an endemic genus in New Caledonia. Phylogenetic analyses support its monophyly with the exclusion of Dibusa. The subfamily originated in the New World during the early Cretaceous, approximately 116 million years ago, with subsequent dispersal to Australasia via trans-Antarctic routes.
Oxyethira forcipata
microcaddisfly
Oxyethira forcipata is a species of microcaddisfly described by Mosely in 1934. It belongs to the family Hydroptilidae, which contains the smallest members of the order Trichoptera. The species is known from North America and is characterized by reduced wing venation typical of the genus.
Oxyethira serrata
Oxyethira serrata is a species of microcaddisfly in the family Hydroptilidae, described by Ross in 1938. The species belongs to a genus characterized by reduced wing venation and small adult size typical of this family. Records indicate presence in North America within the Nearctic region. As with other Hydroptilidae, adults are likely associated with aquatic or riparian habitats where larval development occurs.
Oxyethira zeronia
microcaddisfly
Oxyethira zeronia is a species of microcaddisfly described by Ross in 1941. It belongs to the family Hydroptilidae, the largest family of caddisflies, whose members are characterized by their small size and reduced wing venation. The species is recorded from North America, though specific habitat and ecological details remain poorly documented.
Stactobiinae
microcaddisflies
Stactobiinae is a subfamily of microcaddisflies within the family Hydroptilidae, comprising 479 species worldwide. The subfamily is taxonomically diverse, with species distinguished primarily by detailed morphological features of adult male genitalia, including the structure of inferior appendages and phallic apex. In Brazil, 15 species have been documented, most of which are endemic to the Amazon rainforest and Atlantic Forest biomes. Recent taxonomic work has expanded knowledge of the subfamily in South America through the description of new species and documentation of new distribution records.