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.
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.
Dipseudopsidae is a family of caddisflies in the order Trichoptera. There are about 6 genera and at least 110 described species in Dipseudopsidae.
Hubert Duprat is a French artist known for his unusual work, an artistic intersection between caddisfly larvae and gold, opal, turquoise and other precious stones.
Chathamiidae is a family of case-making caddisflies more commonly known as the marine caddisflies. Chathamiids are unique among insects in their invasion of the tide pool environment. Larvae construct their cases of coralline algae. The eggs of one marine caddisfy species are found inside starfish. The five described species are distributed along the coasts of New Zealand, New South Wales, and the Chatham Islands.
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.
Calamoceratidae is a family of caddisflies in the order Trichoptera. There are about 9 genera and at least 120 described species in the family Calamoceratidae.
Dicosmoecus is a genus of october caddis in the family Limnephilidae. There are about six described species in Dicosmoecus.
Dicosmoecus gilvipes is a species of northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae. This particular caddisfly is found in and near streams of North America, from northern California and Colorado to British Columbia and as eastern to Nevada, Idaho, Montana and Alberta. D. gilvipes is commonly known as the October Caddis, Autumn Caddis or Giant Orange Sedge, due to their flying presence acknowledged in the Autumn. Caddisflies are known to build cases when they are in larvae stages, to protect themselves from predators, such as dragonflies, salmon and trout. The October Caddisfly is no different and builds their cases out of different organic materials during their five larvae stages.
Anabolia is a genus of northern caddisflies in the family Limnephilidae. There are about 18 described species in Anabolia.
Ptilostomis is a genus of giant casemakers in the family Phryganeidae. There are at least four described species in Ptilostomis.
Oligostomis is a genus of giant casemakers in the family Phryganeidae. There are at least four described species in Oligostomis.
Martin Ephraim Mosely was an English entomologist who specialized in the systematics of caddisflies (Trichoptera). His interest in freshwater insects was first triggered by his interest in fishing. He was also a well-known angler and fly-fisherman and contributed to the works of Frederic M. Halford, a friend and distant relative.
Anisocentropus krampus is a species of caddisfly in the family Calamoceratidae. It was described in 1994 by Austrian entomologist Hans Malicky and found in New Britain.
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 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 zealandica is a species of caddisfly belonging to the family Ecnomidae. The species was first described by Keith Arthur John Wise in 1958, and is 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.
