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". Leptoceridae is the second largest family of caddisflies with more than 1500 species in around 45 genera. The main identifying feature of most Leptoceridae is that their antennae are longer than those of other caddisflies. There is one genus with short antennae (Ceraclea), but it is easily identified by the pair of dark curved lines on the mesonotum.
The Ecnomidae are a family of caddisflies comprising 9 genera with a total of 375 species.
The Polycentropodidae are a family of trumpet-net and tube-making caddisflies. There are at least 30 genera and 720 described species in Polycentropodidae. The type genus for Polycentropodidae is Polycentropus J. Curtis, 1835.
Dipseudopsidae is a family of caddisflies in the order Trichoptera. There are about 6 genera and at least 110 described species in Dipseudopsidae.
Brachycentridae is a family of humpless casemaker caddisflies in the order Trichoptera. It is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Georg Ulmer first described it in Germany in 1903 as a subfamily of Sericostomatidae. The type genus for Brachycentridae is Brachycentrus J. Curtis, 1834.
Macrostemum is a genus of netspinning caddisflies in the family Hydropsychidae. There are at least 90 described species in Macrostemum.
Dicosmoecinae is a subfamily of northern caddisflies in the family Limnephilidae. There are about 19 genera and at least 80 described species in Dicosmoecinae.
Arctopsyche is a genus of netspinning caddisflies in the family Hydropsychidae. There are more than 20 described species in Arctopsyche.
Himalopsyche is a genus of free-living caddisflies in the family Rhyacophilidae. There are more than 40 described species in Himalopsyche.
Lype is a genus of net tube caddisflies in the family Psychomyiidae. There are more than 20 described species in Lype.
Parapsyche is a genus of netspinning caddisflies in the family Hydropsychidae. There are more than 20 described species in Parapsyche.
Psilotreta is a genus of mortarjoint casemakers in the family Odontoceridae. There are more than 30 described species in Psilotreta.
Anisocentropus is a genus of caddisflies in the family Calamoceratidae. There are more than 60 described species in Anisocentropus.
Molanna is a genus of hood casemakers in the family Molannidae. There are more than 20 described species in Molanna.
Phylocentropus is a genus of caddisflies in the family Dipseudopsidae. There are about 17 described species in Phylocentropus.
Holocentropus is a genus of tube maker caddisflies in the family Polycentropodidae. There are more than 40 described species in Holocentropus.
Potamyia is a genus of netspinning caddisflies in the family Hydropsychidae. There are more than 20 described species in the genus Potamyia.
Agraylea is a genus of microcaddisflies in the family Hydroptilidae. There are more than 20 described species in Agraylea.
Psychomyia is a genus of insects belonging to the family Psychomyiidae.
