Spiral-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.
Helicopsychidae
Snail-case Caddisflies
Helicopsychidae, commonly known as snail-case caddisflies, is a family of Trichoptera characterized by larvae that construct distinctive spiral, helix-shaped cases resembling snail shells. The family contains over 230 species distributed across all major faunal regions, divided into two genera: the monophyletic Rakiura and Helicopsyche. The subgenus Cochliopsyche is endemic to the Neotropical region between central Uruguay and southern Mexico. Species inhabit diverse freshwater environments including springs, streams, and rivers.