Family: Leptoceridae

Long-horned Case-maker Caddisflies

These photos supplement pages 119-135 of the Guide to Aquatic Invertebrates of the Upper Midwest. Information on the biology of Leptoceridae can be found on page 130. Leptceridae have a sclerotized pronotum and mesonotum and a membranous metanotum. Their main identifying character is longer antennae than all the other caddisflies (length at least 6x width). There is one genus that has short antennae, but it is easily identified by the pair of dark curved lines on the mesonotum. Leptoceridae build cases from a variety of materials including sand, rock, silk, plant fragments, and freshwater sponge spicules. The shapes and sizes of these cases varies considerably.

 

Leptoceridae

 

Leptoceridae thorax

 

Leptoceridae ceraclea

 

Leptoceridae antenna

 

Leptoceridae case