Family: Limnephilidae

Northern Case-maker Caddisflies

These photos supplement pages 119-135 of the Guide to Aquatic Invertebrates of the Upper Midwest. Information on the biology of Limnephilidae can be found on page 130. Limnephilidae have a sclerotized pronotum and mesonotum and a membranous metanotum. Their antennae are very short and located midway between the eye and the mandible. There is a hump on the dorsal side of abdominal segment one, and the anterior margin of the mesonotum is not notched (compare with Uenoidae). Limnephilid caddisfly larvae build cases out of a variety of materials including sand, sticks and plant fragments. The cases vary considerably and are not diagnostic at the family level.

 

Limnephilidae

 

Limnephilidae thorax

 

Limnephilidae head

 

Limnephilidae hump

 

Limnephilidae mesonotum