Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae of Gunnison County, ColoradoHydroptila argosa
Microcaddisfly Ross 1938
Updated 22 December 2025
TSN 115696
Good Links
On this website:
Introduction to Hydroptilidae
Other Websites:
Photos, Map, Museum specimens, DNA - Barcodinglife.org
References
Gerth,WJ; Murphy,CA and Arismendi,I 2023 Caddisfly dives for oviposition: Record-shattering depths and poor life choices in a dammed river system. Freshwater Science 42(1) 104-117.
Abstract: "Oviposition is a critical step in the life cycles of aquatic insects. Adult caddisflies exhibit a variety of oviposition methods. In some species, females enter freshwaters to oviposit on submerged substrates. Here, we compile information on North American caddisflies that are known to dive and swim to oviposit and have sexually dimorphic leg characteristics that may be adaptations for swimming, diving, or both. We also report unexpected underwater captures of adult females of 3 caddisfly species in Willamette Basin reservoirs in Oregon, USA, including the deepest dive depths ever recorded for adult female caddisflies. From these captures, we note sexually dimorphic leg widening in the species Hydropsyche centra Ross, for the first time, confirm widened mesothoracic leg segments of Hydropsyche occidentalis Banks, 1900 adult females, and note fringes of long hairs on meso- and metathoracic tibiae and basal tarsal segments of Hydroptila argosa Ross, females. We also note fringes of long hairs on the meso- and metathoracic legs of Hydroptila ajax Ross, females from the banks of the Willamette River. The presumed oviposition attempts of caddisflies underwater in large, deep reservoirs suggest that these caddisflies may misinterpret oviposition cues in altered habitats and waste reproductive efforts. Greater understanding of caddisfly oviposition methods and abilities may be important for long-term conservation and restoration efforts supporting biodiversity in freshwater habitats."
Herrmann,SJ; Ruiter,DE and Unzicker,JD 1986: Distribution and records of Colorado Trichoptera. Southwestern Naturalist 31(4), 421-457.
shows this species is present in Gunnison County
Roemhild,G 1980 Pheromone glands of microcaddisflies, (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae). Journal of Morphology 163 (1) 9-12. Abstract
Ross,HH 1938 Descriptions of Nearctic Caddisflies. Bulletin of the Illinois Natural History Survey 21:101-183. PDF
Ruse,LP and Herrmann,SJ 2000 Plecoptera and Trichoptera species distribution related to environmental characteristics of the metal-polluted Arkansas River, Colorado. Western North American Naturalist 60 (1) 57-65. PDF
H. argosa was found below the Pueblo dam in the Arkansas river.
Zuellig,RE; Heinold,BD; Kondratieff,BC and Ruiter,DE 2012 Diversity and Distribution of Mayflies (Ephemeroptera), Stoneflies (Plecoptera), and Caddisflies (Trichoptera) of the South Platte River Basin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, 1873-2010. U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 606, 257 p. PDF - caution 46MB
Quote from page 74: " Another common micro caddisfly in Colorado (Herrmann and others, 1986). The only SPRB records for this species are from the Fort Collins area in Colorado." The elevation range is 4,950-5,450 feet and the adults emerge from July-September.
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