Sand-case

Guides

• Helicopsyche borealis

  Spectacled Snail-case Caddisfly

  Helicopsyche borealis is a caddisfly species in the family Helicopsychidae, notable as one of only two Helicopsyche species to colonize temperate North America from a predominantly tropical genus. Larvae construct distinctive spiral, snail-like cases from sand grains cemented with silk. The species inhabits running waters across North America and plays a role as a collector-gatherer and scraper in stream ecosystems. Adults emerge in spring, and the life cycle is univoltine with egg diapause through summer.

  TrichopteracaddisflyHelicopsychidaefreshwaterstreamcase-buildingunivoltineNearcticdetritivoregrazerhyporheicperiphytonspiral-casesand-casetemperate-colonist

• Molanna

  hood casemakers

  Molanna is a genus of caddisflies (order Trichoptera) commonly known as hood casemakers, comprising over 20 described species. Larvae construct portable cases from sand grains and inhabit shallow freshwater environments including lake margins and spring-fed streams. Adults exhibit sex-specific antennal morphology and chemical communication, with females producing sex pheromones that attract males to mating sites near water.

  TrichopteraMolannidaecaddisflyfreshwatersand-caseperiphyton-grazersex-pheromoneantennal-sensilla