Family: Helicopsychidae

Snail Case-Maker Caddisflies

These photos supplement pages 119-135 of the Guide to Aquatic Invertebrates of the Upper Midwest. Information on the biology of Helicopsychidae can be found on page 128. Helicopsyche make a spiral-shaped case out of sand grains. Their body is curled, and all three thoracic segments have sclerotized dorsal plates. The case is diagnostic for Helicopsychidae as all Helicopsychidae construct spiral cases and no other caddisflies do.

 

Helicopsychidae

 

Helicopsychidae case

 

Helicopsychidae claw