Philopotamidae
Guides
Chimarra
Little Black Caddisflies
Chimarra is a large genus of caddisflies (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) containing more than 630 described species. Adults are commonly known as "little black caddisflies" due to their characteristic dark coloration. The genus has undergone extensive radiation, with species distributed across multiple continents including North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Molecular studies have investigated the evolutionary history and biogeographic patterns of diversification within this genus.
Chimarra obscura
fingernet caddisfly
Chimarra obscura is a species of fingernet caddisfly in the family Philopotamidae, found in North America. The genus Chimarra is characterized by blackish body and wings. This species has been documented from Missouri, specifically from Sam A. Baker State Park in the Ozark Highlands, where it was recorded alongside C. feria and an unidentified Chimarra species. The species was originally described by Walker in 1852.
Chimarra texana
Texas fingernet caddisfly
Chimarra texana is a species of fingernet caddisfly in the family Philopotamidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1920. As a member of the genus Chimarra, it possesses the characteristic blackish body and wings typical of this group. The species is distributed in North America and belongs to an ancient lineage of aquatic insects closely related to moths and butterflies. Adults are recognized by their distinct maxillary and labial palps, lack of a coiled proboscis, and hairy (rather than scaled) wings.
Dolophilodes dorca
Dolophilodes dorca is a species of caddisfly in the family Philopotamidae. Members of this genus are small, slender caddisflies associated with lotic (flowing water) habitats. The larvae construct silken retreats and capture nets for feeding on fine particulate organic matter. Like other philopotamids, adults are typically nocturnal and are attracted to light.
Philopotamoidea
Philopotamoidea is a superfamily of caddisflies (order Trichoptera) comprising two families: Philopotamidae and Stenopsychidae. The superfamily is considered paraphyletic in current phylogenetic treatments. Members are aquatic insects with larval stages inhabiting freshwater environments. The group is recognized by morphological features of adult mouthparts and larval case construction.
Wormaldia
Wormaldia is a diverse genus of fingernet caddisflies (family Philopotamidae), comprising approximately 175 extant species globally. It is the second-largest genus in Philopotamidae after Chimarra. Species occur across all biogeographic regions except Australasia, with notable diversification in the Neotropics and Nearctic. The genus includes fossil species from Late Cretaceous Burmese amber, indicating an ancient evolutionary history. Taxonomic revisions have focused heavily on male genitalia morphology for species identification.
Wormaldia arizonensis
Wormaldia arizonensis is a species of caddisfly in the family Philopotamidae, originally described by Ling in 1938. It belongs to the second largest genus in its family, with approximately 175 extant species worldwide. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. As with other philopotamid caddisflies, it is presumed to have aquatic larval stages and terrestrial adult stages, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Wormaldia moesta
fingernet caddisfly
Wormaldia moesta is a species of fingernet caddisfly described by Banks in 1914. It belongs to the family Philopotamidae, a group of caddisflies characterized by their distinctive net-spinning larval behavior. The species has been documented in North America, with specific records from Vermont in the United States.