order
Coleoptera
“Adult Beetles”
Coleoptera
“Larval Beetles”
Diptera
“True Flies”
Ephemeroptera
“Mayflies”
Hemiptera
“True Bugs”
Lepidoptera
“Aquatic Caterpillars, Snout Moths”
Megaloptera
“Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies”
Odonata
“Dragonflies and Damselflies”
Plecoptera
“Stoneflies”
Trichoptera
“Caddisflies”
family
Hydroptilidae
“Microcaddisflies, Purse Casemakers”
Family Overview
Hydroptilidae
Microcaddisflies, Purse Casemakers
The larva is very small (less than 1/4 inch) and lives in a case, usually flat, made of silk or sand or filamentous algae; the tops of all three thoracic segments are covered by sclerites; there are no gills on the ventral side of the abdomen; usually the anal prolegs are mostly fused with the end of the abdomen except their apical hooks.
Characteristics
POLLUTION TOLERANCE
FEEDING HABITS
Collector / Gatherer
Piercer / Herbivore
Scraper / Grazer
Piercer / Herbivore
Scraper / Grazer
MOVEMENT
Climber
Clinger
Clinger
Diagnostic Characters
order
Prolegs With Single Hook
family
Mesonotum sclerotized
Pronotum Sclerotized
Short Overall Length
Flattened Case
Metanotum Sclerotized
No Ventral Abdominal Gills
Tiny Anal Claws
+ Expanded Character List
Order:
Larvae: Wings/wing pads absent. Eye spots present, but compound eyes absent. Antennae usually small, inconspicuous. Three pairs of segmented legs present on thorax. Pair of anal prolegs, each with single hook, located on last abdominal segment. Larvae can be free-living, in silken retreats attached to substrate, or in usually-portable tubes or cases made of sand, rocks, or plant material.
Family:
The larva is very small (less than ¼ inch) and lives in a case, usually flat, made of silk or sand or filamentous algae; the tops of all three thoracic segments are covered by sclerites; there are no gills on the ventral side of the abdomen; usually the anal prolegs are mostly fused with the end of the abdomen except their apical hooks.
Lateral
Case