Genus Overview
There are about 75 North American species in this commonly encountered genus. Larvae can be up to 12.5 mm long. Cases are usually made of plant materials, often four-sided, made of rectangular strips of bark or leaves; however sometimes of sand or plant stems; young larvae often build cases of sand, then transition to leaves as they grow. They prefer small or intermittent headwater streams and springs. They are primarily shredding detritivores.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Southeast: 1
Upper Midwest: 1
Mid-Atlantic: 1
0 = least tolerant, 10 = most tolerant
FEEDING HABITS
Shredder / Detritivore
MOVEMENT
Climber
Clinger
Sprawler
Clinger
Sprawler
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread (east of the Rocky Mtns.)
HABITAT
Lotic-depositional
Lotic-erosional
Lotic-erosional
Diagnostic Characters