Retreat-builders

Guides

  • Annulipalpia

    fixed-retreat makers

    Annulipalpia is a suborder of Trichoptera (caddisflies) distinguished by the flexible, multi-ringed terminal segment of the adult maxillary palps. Larvae are aquatic and construct fixed retreats—stationary structures to which they remain attached—rather than portable cases. Some families build simple silken tubes anchored to the substrate, while others spin silken nets for filter feeding. The suborder includes families such as Psychomyiidae, Ecnomidae, Xiphocentronidae, Polycentropodidae, and Dipseudopsidae.