| Common Name |
Fingernet Caddisfly Larvae |
| Phylum |
Arthropoda |
| Class |
Insecta |
| Order |
Trichoptera |
| Family |
Philopotamidae |
| Description |
13-17mm. Retreat length 25-60mm, diameter 3-5mm. Larvae are almost always collected free from their dwellings. Many kinds are yellow-orange when alive but turn white when preserved. The tops of the second and third thorax segments do not have plates. |
| Habitat |
Lotic-erosional. Most common in small, cool, clear stream but can also be found in warm rivers. Larvae can be found in protected areas where the current is reduced. |
| Feeding Information |
Collector-filterers. Philopotamidae larvae construct fine-mesh nets (<1-15 microns) and consume particles of detritus. Smaller animals that are caught are also consumed. |
| Water Quality Tolerance |
Mainly somewhat sensitive, others very sensitive. |
| References |
Voshell & Wright. 2002. |
