The caddisflies, or order Trichoptera, are a group of insects with aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults. There are approximately 14,500 described species, most of which can be divided into the suborders Integripalpia and Annulipalpia on the basis of the adult mouthparts. Integripalpian larvae construct a portable casing to protect themselves as they move around looking for food, while annulipalpian larvae make themselves a fixed retreat in which they remain, waiting for food to come to them. The affinities of the small third suborder Spicipalpia are unclear, and molecular analysis suggests it may not be monophyletic. Also called sedge-flies or rail-flies, the adults are small moth-like insects with two pairs of hairy membranous wings. They are closely related to the Lepidoptera which have scales on their wings; the two orders together form the superorder Amphiesmenoptera.
The family Leptoceridae are a family of caddisflies often called "long-horned caddisflies" or "silverhorns". Leptoceridae is the second largest family of caddisflies with over 1850 species in approximately 68 genera. The main identifying feature of most Leptoceridae is that their antennae are much longer than those of other caddisflies. There is one genus with relatively short antennae (Ceraclea), but it is easily identified by the pair of dark curved lines on the mesonotum.
Patiriella regularis, or New Zealand common cushion star, is a sea star of the family Asterinidae, native to New Zealand. It has an arm spread of up to 60 mm (2.4 in).
The Hydropsychidae are a family-level taxon consisting of net-spinning caddisflies. Hydropsychids are common among much of the world's streams, and a few species occupy the shorelines of freshwater lakes. Larvae of the hydropsychids construct nets at the open ends of their dwellings which are responsible for their "net-spinning caddisfly" common name.
The Ecnomidae are a family of caddisflies comprising 9 genera with a total of 375 species.
Enoicyla pusilla also known as the land caddis and the terrestrial caddis is a species of caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae. The genus Enoicyla is unique among caddisflies because the larvae are terrestrial, living in leaf litter.
Oeconesidae is a family of caddisflies in the order Trichoptera. There are about 6 genera and 19 described species in Oeconesidae, found mainly in New Zealand. A single species, Tascuna ignota, is found in Tasmania.
Drepanacra binocula, known as the Australian variable lacewing, is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae, found across Australia and New Zealand, including Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and the Kermadec Islands.
Stenoperla prasina is a species of stonefly belonging to the family Eustheniidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is classified as "Not Threatened" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. It is found on the North, South and Stewart Island / Rakiura Islands as well as on Little Barrier Island. Although adults of this species are most often coloured bright green, this species can be coloured yellow. This species inhabits clean, cold, running streams and rivers with stony bottoms within native bush. It is a known indicator of water quality. The larvae eat plant detritus and other aquatic insects while the adult insects feed on sooty mould fungi as well as other plant matter. The adults of this species are a known food source for New Zealand long tailed bats. Adults have been dissected and have been found to have been carrying Nematomorpha and trematode parasites. The New Zealand Department of Conservation classifies this species as "Not Threatened". In 2022 a specimen of this species was the 5 millionth specimen to be digitised in the Natural History Museum, London collection.
Alloecentrella is a genus of caddisflies belonging to the order Trichoptera. The genus was first recognised by Keith Arthur John Wise in 1958.
Alloecentrella magnicornis is a species of caddisfly belonging to the order Trichoptera. The species was first described by Keith Arthur John Wise in 1958, and is endemic to New Zealand.
Ecnomina is a genus of caddisflies belonging to the family Ecnomidae. The genus was first recognised by Douglas Eric Kimmins in 1953.
Oeconesus is a genus of caddisflies belonging to the family Oeconesidae. The genus was first recognised by Robert McLachlan in 1862. All known species of Oeconesus are endemic to New Zealand.
Pseudoeconesus bistirpis is a species of caddisfly belonging to the family Hydrobiosidae. The species was first described by Keith Arthur John Wise in 1958, and is endemic to New Zealand.
Pycnocentrodes is a genus of caddisflies belonging to the family Conoesucidae. The genus was first recognised by Robert John Tillyard in 1924. All known species of Pycnocentrodes are endemic to New Zealand.
Olinga is a genus of caddisflies belonging to the family Oeconesidae. The genus was described by Robert McLachlan in 1868, revising the genus name in 1894. All known species of Olinga are endemic to New Zealand.
Pycnocentrodes aeris, also known as the common stony-cased caddisfly, is a species of caddisfly belonging to the family Conoesucidae. The species was first described by Keith Arthur John Wise in 1958, and is endemic to New Zealand.
Confluens is a genus of caddisflies belonging to the family Oeconesidae. The genus was described by Keith Arthur John Wise in 1962, after noticing differences in two species previously placed within the genus Pycnocentrodes. Both species of Confluens are endemic to New Zealand.
Tiphobiosis is a genus of caddisflies belonging to the family Hydrobiosidae. The genus was first recognised by Robert John Tillyard in 1924.
Philanisus plebeius is a species of marine caddisfly in the family Chathamiidae found in New Zealand and Australia. These insects have winged terrestrial adults, eggs are laid in starfish and aquatic larvae live in marine rock pools.
