Leptoceridae
Guides
Ceraclea
long-horned caddisfly
Ceraclea is a genus of long-horned caddisflies (family Leptoceridae) containing over 140 described species. Larvae are aquatic and construct portable cases using silk and various materials. Multiple species have been documented as freshwater sponge specialists, though feeding habits vary including detritivory. Life cycles range from univoltine to more complex multi-cohort patterns with variable overwintering strategies.
Ceraclea cancellata
Ceraclea cancellata is a species of caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, first described by Betten in 1934. As a member of the long-horned caddisfly family, this species is characterized by antennae that are notably longer than the body. The genus Ceraclea is widely distributed across North America.
Ceraclea enodis
Ceraclea enodis is a species of caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. Members of this genus are characterized by elongated, slender bodies and long antennae. The species is part of a diverse group of aquatic insects whose larvae construct protective cases from environmental materials.
Ceraclea slossonae
long-horned caddisfly
Ceraclea slossonae is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, first described by Banks in 1938. It belongs to a genus characterized by adults with exceptionally long antennae, often exceeding body length. The species is documented from North America, with limited observational records.
Ceraclea tarsipunctata
Ceraclea tarsipunctata is a species of caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, described by Vorhies in 1909. It belongs to a genus known for having antennae longer than the body, a distinctive trait within Trichoptera. The species is recorded from North America with limited observational data available.
Ceraclea transversa
long-horned caddisfly
Ceraclea transversa is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, first described by Hagen in 1861. It is found in North America, with observations recorded across the continent. The species belongs to a genus of caddisflies characterized by elongated antennae relative to body size.
Leptocerus americanus
American Long-horned Caddisfly
Leptocerus americanus is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, first described by Banks in 1899. As a member of the order Trichoptera, it represents one of the most diverse groups of aquatic insects. The species is distributed across North America, with observational records spanning from Vermont westward. Like other leptocerids, adults are characterized by their elongated antennae, which are often longer than the body.
Mystacides
long-horned caddisflies
Mystacides is a genus of caddisflies in the family Leptoceridae, commonly known as long-horned caddisflies. The genus contains at least 20 described species distributed across North America and Eurasia. Adults are characterized by exceptionally long antennae, often exceeding body length. Larvae construct portable cases from sand grains and plant fragments.
Mystacides alafimbriatus
long-horned caddisfly
Mystacides alafimbriatus is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, described by Hill-Griffin in 1912. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Mystacides. The species is known from the Nearctic region, with records from North America. As with other Leptoceridae, adults are characterized by antennae that are notably longer than the body.
Mystacides sepulchralis
black dancer, Black Dancer Caddisfly
Mystacides sepulchralis, commonly known as the black dancer, is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. It is one of three Mystacides species found in North America, alongside M. alafimbriata and M. longicornis. The species has been the subject of taxonomic study due to difficulties in identification, particularly of larval and pupal stages.
Nectopsyche albida
White Miller Caddisfly
Nectopsyche albida is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. It is found in North America. The species is associated with lentic (still-water) habitats including lakes and ponds.
Nectopsyche candida
Radiant Long-horned Caddisfly
Nectopsyche candida is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to a genus characterized by elongated antennae, a trait reflected in the common name for this group. Like other caddisflies, it has an aquatic larval stage and terrestrial adult stage.
Nectopsyche diarina
White Miller Caddisfly
Nectopsyche diarina is a species of caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, first described by Ross in 1944. The genus Nectopsyche is commonly referred to as "white millers," a name derived from the pale coloration of adults. Like other members of this genus, N. diarina is attracted to ultraviolet light, making it observable during nocturnal blacklight surveys. The species occurs in North America within the Nearctic region.
Nectopsyche exquisita
exquisite long-horned caddisfly
Nectopsyche exquisita is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, characterized by its distinctive wing patterning and banded antennae. Adults are medium-sized caddisflies with striking yellow and white hair patterns on the wings. The species is found in eastern North America near slow-moving aquatic habitats. Adults are attracted to light and have been documented in urban settings.
Oecetis
long-horned caddisflies
Oecetis is a genus of long-horned caddisflies in the family Leptoceridae, containing over 500 described species worldwide. Adults are distinguished by exceptionally long maxillary palps and an unbranched forewing M vein. Larvae inhabit freshwater environments including lakes, streams, and rivers with sandy substrates. The genus is among the largest and most widely distributed caddisfly genera, occurring in all faunal regions.
Oecetis cinerascens
Ashy Long-horned Caddisfly
Oecetis cinerascens is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, commonly known as the Ashy Long-horned Caddisfly. It is native to North America and was first described by Hagen in 1861 under the basionym Setodes cinerascens. As a member of the Leptoceridae, it possesses the characteristically elongated antennae that give this family its common name. The species has been documented through over 500 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is regularly encountered by naturalists.
Oecetis inconspicua
Inconspicuous Long-horned Caddisfly
Oecetis inconspicua is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. It is found in North America, with additional records from Brazil. The species belongs to a family characterized by larvae that construct portable cases and adults with notably elongated antennae.
Setodes
long-horned caddisfly
Setodes is a genus of long-horned caddisflies in the family Leptoceridae, established by Rambur in 1842. The genus contains at least 230 described species, making it one of the largest genera within the family. Species occur across multiple continents including Africa, Asia, and Madagascar, with colonization patterns suggesting potential dispersal from India to Madagascar. Larval stages are aquatic and inhabit freshwater lotic environments.
Setodes incertus
Setodes incertus is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. It was originally described as Leptocerus incertus by Walker in 1852 and later transferred to the genus Setodes. The species is known from North America and is a member of the Setodini tribe within the Leptocerinae subfamily.
Triaenodes aba
Aba's Long-horned Caddisfly
Triaenodes aba is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, described by Milne in 1935. The common name references its notably elongated antennae, which extend well beyond the body length—a characteristic trait of the genus. As with other Leptoceridae, the larvae are aquatic and construct portable cases from plant material or sand grains. Adult emergence patterns and specific habitat preferences for this species remain poorly documented, with only four verified observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Triaenodes baris
Triaenodes baris is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, described by Ross in 1938. The species is found in North America and belongs to a genus characterized by elongated antennae in adults. As with other Leptoceridae, larvae likely inhabit aquatic environments and construct portable cases from plant material.
Triaenodes flavescens
Triaenodes flavescens is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae, described by Banks in 1900. It belongs to a genus characterized by elongated antennae that often exceed body length. The species is known from North America. As with other members of Leptoceridae, adults are associated with aquatic habitats where larvae develop.
Triaenodes injusta
Triaenodes injusta is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. The genus Triaenodes is characterized by elongated antennae, often exceeding body length, and larvae that construct distinctive portable cases. This species is part of a diverse Nearctic fauna of Triaenodes, though specific biological details remain limited in published literature.
Triaenodes marginata
Triaenodes marginata is a species of caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. The genus Triaenodes belongs to the tribe Triaenodini within the subfamily Leptocerinae. The species has been treated taxonomically with at least one recognized synonym, Triaenodes marginata tarda Milne, 1934, which is now considered a synonym of Triaenodes tardus. Information regarding the biology, ecology, and distribution of this specific species is limited in the provided sources.
Triaenodes tardus
long-horned caddisfly
Triaenodes tardus is a North American long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. Larvae construct portable cases and are capable swimmers, using setae on their extended metathoracic legs to move between aquatic macrophytes. Swimming speed averages 1.47 cm/s even while carrying cases nearly double their body mass. The species exhibits reduced swimming activity when vegetation is available, indicating swimming functions primarily for habitat relocation rather than escape.