Trichoptera of Gunnison County, ColoradoIntroduction to the caddis family Limnephilidae
Northern Case MakersKolenati, 1848
Updated 21 February 2026
TSN 115933
Provisional Species List
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References
Al Mousa,MDA 2020 Studies on the Odonata and Trichoptera of high-elevation lakes of northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. MS Thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. 187 pages. PDF
Al Mousa,MDA; Nachappa,P; Ruiter,DE; Givens,DR and Fairchild,MP 2022 Caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) of montane and alpine lakes of northern Colorado (USA). Western North American Naturalist, 82(3), pp.563-576. PDF
Quote from pages 570-572: "More than three-quarters of species recorded or collected during this study were representatives of the family Limnephilidae (the northern casemaker caddisflies), occurring frequently in both montane and alpine lakes. Twenty-one of these species were members of the large and widespread genus Limnephilus, including 5 Holarctic, 10 Transcontinental Nearctic, 4 western Nearctic, and 2 regionally endemic taxa (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1). The Holarctic L. externus and L. picturatus McLachlan, 1875, were common and widespread, occurring in 19 and 29 lakes, respectively (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1). Wissinger et al. (2003) considered L. externus as the most abundant species in Colorado permanent ponds. Other Holarctic limnephilids, L. dispar McLachlan, 1875, L. rhombicus, and L. sansoni Banks, 1918, were encountered at limited locations in Boulder and Grand counties. Several transcontinental representatives of the Limnephilus genus were well represented in our study area, including our most frequently captured taxon, L. abbreviatus Banks, 1908, as well as the frequently encountered and common L. janus Ross, 1938, L. hyalinus Hagen, 1861, L. moestus Banks, 1908, and L. indivisus Walker, 1852 (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1). Other broadly distributed Nearctic Limnephilus species (e.g., L. sublunatus Provancher, 1877, L. diversus [Banks, 1903], and L. perpusillus Walker, 1852) were less often encountered yet still represented in recent collections (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1).
Other broadly distributed Nearctic limnephilids encountered frequently were Psychoglypha subborealis (Banks, 1924), Asynarchus montanus, Nemotaulius hostilis (Hagen, 1873), Anabolia bimaculata (Walker, 1852), and Homophylax flavipennis Banks, 1900, whereas others were infrequently encountered (e.g., Lenarchus fautini and Limnephilus secludens Banks, 1914) or only encountered once (e.g., Limnephilus tarsalis and Limnephilus thorus) (see Supplementary Material 1).
Six limnephilids we encountered are considered regionally endemic to the Rocky Mountains (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1). Asynarchus nigriculus (Banks, 1908) was collected and recorded between 1934 and 2020 from 28 lentic localities across northern Colorado (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1). Wiggins (2014) collected larvae of this species in streams, ponds, and temporary ponds. The type locality of this species is Clear Creek County, Colorado (Rasmussen and Morse 2021), and, with the exception of a 1958 record from Maine, the taxon is largely confined to the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah (Rasmussen and Morse 2021). In a study of the caddisflies of the high-elevation lentic habitats in Colorado, Wissinger et al. (2003) noted that A. nigriculus was the most abundant species in both high-elevation autumnal habitats and vernal ponds. Limnephilus coloradensis (Banks, 1899) was well represented historically and recently from 13 lakes across Boulder, Grand, Jackson, and Larimer counties. Limnephilus castor Ross and Merkley, 1952, was less common but found as recently as 2020, whereas the remaining endemic species were less common, patchily distributed, and not recently encountered. Hesperophylax consimilis (Banks, 1900) was recorded from only 3 lakes in Grand, Larimer, and Routt counties, of which the most recent was 28 years ago. Psychoronia costalis (Banks, 1901) was recorded at 5 high-elevation lakes (>3150 m) (see Fig. 2 and Supplementary Material 1), yet only within Boulder County and not since 1998. Grammotaulius lorettae Denning, 1941, was encountered only once from a lake in Larimer County in 1995 (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1).
A few western Nearctic limnephilids were recorded infrequently or have not been observed in recent years based on the material we examined. Limnephilus productus Banks, 1914, was collected in 1995 near Shadow Mountain Dam in Grand County. Lenarchus (Paralenarchus) brevipennis (Banks, 1899) was collected in 2019 near Twin Lake in Larimer County. Limnephilus labus Ross, 1941, and L. spinatus Banks, 1914, were recorded from few locations between 1941 and 1998 (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1).
Four species of the Nearctic genus Hesperophylax Banks, 1916, were recorded in this study (Table 2, Supplementary Material 1). Species of this genus usually inhabit lotic habitats but can occur in cold springs and lakes where they inhabit shallow water (Parker and Wiggins 1985, Wissinger et al. 2003, Wiggins 2014). The transcontinental H. occidentalis (Banks, 1908) and H. designatus were common and frequently encountered. Hesperophylax magnus Banks, 1918, is known from western North America and was recorded only from a few locations between 1989 and 1996. Hesperophylax consimilis, an endemic from the Rocky Mountain region of western North America, was recorded only from a few locations in Grand, Larimer, and Routt counties between 1979 and 1994.
Several other limnephilids associated with lotic habitats were encountered. The Nearctic Glyphopsyche irrorata (Fabricius, 1781) is usually considered lotic (Wiggins 2014) yet was recorded from several wetlands. The Nearctic Psychoglypha subborealis, a lotic species that occurs in spring runs, streams, and pools (Wiggins 2014), was recorded from several lentic sites in Boulder and Larimer counties. Dicosmoecus atripes (Hagen, 1875), known from western North American mountain streams and lakeshores, was recorded from several lakes between 1953 and 1999 across Boulder, Clear Creek, and Larimer Counties."
Balik,JA; Leitz,C; Washko,SE; Cleveland,B; Krejsa,DM; Perchik,ME; Stogsdill,A; Vlah,M; Demi,LM; Greig,HS and Shepard,ID 2022 Species-specific traits predict whole-assemblage detritus processing by pond invertebrates. Oecologia, 199(4), pp.951-963.
Abstract: "Functional trait diversity determines if ecosystem processes are sensitive to shifts in species abundances or composition. For example, trait variation suggests detritivores process detritus at different rates and make different contributions to whole-assemblage processing, which could be sensitive to compositional shifts. Here, we used a series of microcosm experiments to quantify species-specific coarse and fine particulate organic matter (CPOM and FPOM) processing for ten larval caddisfly species and three non-caddisfly species in high-elevation wetlands. We then compared trait-based models including life history, dietary, and extrinsic traits to determine which traits explained interspecific variation in detritus processing. Finally, we compared processing by mixed caddisfly assemblages in microcosms and natural ponds to additive predictions based on species-specific processing to determine if single-species effects are additive in multi-species assemblages. We found considerable interspecific variation in biomass-specific CPOM (13-fold differences) and FPOM (8-fold differences) processing. Furthermore, on a mass-specific basis, amphipods, chironomids, and caddisflies processed similar amounts of detritus, suggesting non-shredder taxa could process more than previously recognized. Trait models including dietary percent detritus, development rate, body size, and wetland hydroperiod explained 81 and 57% of interspecific variation in CPOM and FPOM processing, respectively. Finally, species-specific additive predictions were strikingly similar to mixed-assemblage processing in microcosms and natural ponds, with the largest difference being a 15% overestimate. Thus, additivity of species-specific processing suggests single-species rates may be useful for understanding functional consequences of shifting assemblages, and a trait-based approach to predicting species-specific processing could support generating additive predictions of whole-assemblage processing."
Balik,JA; Taylor,BW; Washko,SE and Wissinger,SA 2018 High interspecific variation in nutrient excretion within a guild of closely related caddisfly species. Ecosphere, 9(5) p.e02205. PDF
Abstract: "Understanding the amount of variation in functional traits between closely related species within guilds is critical for understanding links between community composition and ecosystem processes. Nutrient excretion is an important link between animals and their environments, and aquatic invertebrate communities can supply a considerable proportion of ecosystem nutrient demand via excretion. We quantified nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) excretion rates of 10 species of larval caddisflies that inhabit high-elevation ponds and wetlands to determine the magnitude of variation in nutrient excretion within this guild. We found considerable interspecific variation in biomass-specific excretion of nitrogen (eightfold differences), phosphorus (sevenfold differences), and the stoichiometric N:P ratios (fivefold differences). Through a meta-analysis, we compared the variation within this guild to the variation found in other family-level species assemblages to determine the overall range in the variation of nutrient excretion that could be expected across guilds and to determine whether the variation in this caddisfly guild is comparatively extreme, average, or low. The meta-analysis revealed a large range in variation among guilds, and comparatively, the variation within this caddisfly guild is high for N excretion and intermediate for P excretion. The considerable variation within guilds revealed by our metaanalysis suggests that functional redundancy among guild members is difficult to predict. Thus, some natural or human-caused species gains or losses within biological groupings such as guilds and trophic levels could have little or no effect on ecosystem processes, whereas others could have very large effects." Species discussed are Asynarchus nigriculus, Grammotaulius lorrettae, Limnephilus externus, Limnephilus picturatus, Limnephilus secludens, Limnephilus sublunatus, Limnephilus tarsalis, Hesperophylax occidentalis, Agrypnia deflata and starting in 2017 - Nemotaulius hostilis.
Crichton,MI 1957 The structure and function of the mouth parts of adult caddis flies (Trichoptera). Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, 241(677), pp.45-91. PDF
Abstract: "The paper gives a detailed account of the structure and function of the mouth parts of Phryganea striata L., followed by a comparative study of these structures throughout the order Trichoptera. Observations on the feeding of caddis flies are reviewed. Consideration is given to homologies and phylogeny. In Phryganea the head is produced ventrally into a proboscis to which all parts of the mouth complex contribute. A detailed account is given of external and internal structure, musculature, and nervous system of the head and mouth parts. The central area of the anterior surface of the head capsule is interpreted as a frontoclypeus because of the origin of muscles to the foregut. The elongate labrum covers a sclerotized groove or sitophore. Mandibles are reduced to small lobes. The cardines and stipites of the maxillae contribute to the base of the proboscis. The single maxillary lobe is interpreted as a lacinia on grounds of musculature. The distinctive protrusible haustellum is regarded as derived from the hypopharynx. It is traversed by a common salivary duct, provided with a muscular valve. The anterior surface of the haustellum is covered with a system of channels which converge to the sitophore. These channels are formed by cuticular outgrowths arranged in lines and drawn out into filaments which roof the channels thus formed. These outgrowths, which are named pectinate hairs, differ in form according to their position on the haustellum. The labium forms part of the base of the proboscis. There is no ligula. Extension of the proboscis is brought about both by muscle action on sclerites and increased blood pressure affecting the flexible areas of cuticle. Relaxation results from reduction in blood pressure, and contraction of retractor muscles. The haustellum functions as an organ for taking up liquids. A direct drinking and a lapping attitude are described. The comparative study includes observations on fifty-three species, which are representative of each of the thirteen families found in Britain. All species examined have a protrusible haustellum, and are capable of drinking. The most highly developed condition is seen in the Phryganeidae and Limnephilidae. A channelled haustellum is also found in the Sericostomatidae, Beraeidae, Molannidae, Odontoceridae, Leptoceridae and Polycentropidae. A simple granulose haustellar surface, devoid of channels, is present in the Hydropsychidae, Psychomyidae, Philopotamidae, Rhyacophilidae and Hydroptilidae. The mandibles are of doubtful function. They are largest in the Hydropsychidae and Rhyacophilidae, and most reduced in Limnephilidae. Small lobes, which are thought to represent the ligula of the labium, are seen in the Philopotamidae, Hydropsychidae, Psychomyidae and Polycentropidae. These differing conditions of the mouth parts are shown to accord with views on the phylogeny of the Trichoptera, which are derived from other data. An account is given of published descriptions of modified mouth parts in some exotic species. The nature of these modifications is discussed. Published observations on the feeding of caddis flies are reviewed. It is concluded that using the haustellum to drink nectar and water is a normal activity of caddis flies."
Cummins,KW; Wilzbach,MA; Gates,DM; Perry,JB and Taliaferro,WB 1989 Shredders and riparian vegetation. BioScience, 39(1), 24-30. PDF
Cummins,KW; Wilzbach,MA; Gates,DM; Perry,JB and Taliaferro,WB 1989 Shredders and riparian vegetation. BioScience, 39(1), pp.24-30. PDF
Denis,C 1977 Larval and imaginal diapause in Limnephilidae. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Trichoptera, Junk, The Hague. 109-115.
Djernæs,M 2011 Structure and phylogenetic significance of the sternum V glands in Trichoptera Zootaxa 2884: 1-60.
Abstract: "I investigated the sternum V gland in 38 families of Trichoptera, and found it to be present in 25 of these. I found that the gland is generally present in Annulipalpia, except Dipseudopsidae, and in Spicipalpia. It is widespread in Plenitentoria, while it is often absent in Brevitentoria, especially in males. The opening is slit-like and U or crescent-shaped. There is significant variation in the cuticular structures associated with the opening ranging from no apparent modification, over scaly patches to elaborate protuberances. Gland opening muscles are associated with the gland in all families except Psychomyiidae, and are divided into 2 distinct types: One originating on the front edge of sternum VI found in Philopotamidae, Rhyacophilidae, Glossosomatidae and Hydroptilidae; and 1 originating on the cuticle of sternum V found in all other trichopterans. The shape of the gland reservoir is variable, from round periform to reniform, elongate or compartmentalised. Muscle fibres are often associated with the reservoir, but are notably absent in Limnephilidae. I mapped characters based on gland structures on a phylogeny of Trichoptera, and discuss the results. The sternum V gland provides potentially important characters from the superorder to the species leve l. I discuss 2 cases where characters from the sternum V gland may solve existing phylogenetic and taxonomic puzzles: Delimitation of Dipseudopsidae versus Polycentropodidae and the relationships among the hydropsychid subfamilies. "
Dodds,GS and Hisaw,FL 1925 Ecological studies on aquatic insects. IV. Altitudinal range and zonation of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies in the Colorado Rockies. Ecology 6(4)380-390. Abstract PDF
Flint,OS, Jr. 1960 Taxonomy and biology of Nearctic limnephilid larvae (Trichoptera), with special reference to species in eastern United States. Entomologica Americana 40:1-120.
Herrmann,SJ; Ruiter,DE and Unzicker,JD 1986: Distribution and records of Colorado Trichoptera. Southwestern Naturalist 31(4), 421-457.
Holzenthal,RW; Blahnik,RJ; Prather,AL and Kjer,KM 2007 Order Trichoptera Kirby, 1813 (Insecta), Caddisflies. PDF
Abstract: "Limnephilidae: This is the largest family in the Plenitentoria, with approximately 900 described species. At higher latitudes and elevations, it is the dominant group in much of the Northern Hemisphere. The family was first established by Kolenati (1848) and includes species described by Linnaeus in Systema Naturae, 10th ed. (Table 1). Schmid (1955) resolved the family into its current classification (Table 4), with refinements by Wiggins and colleagues (Vineyard & Wiggins 1988, Wiggins 1973a, Wiggins et al. 1985). The family is divided into 4 subfamilies, Dicosmoecinae Schmid, Drusinae Banks, Limnephilinae Kolenati, and Pseudostenophylacinae Schmid.
The Dicosmoecinae, with fewer than 100 described species, are considered the most primitive of the limnephilid subfamilies, and include the only Southern Hemisphere taxa in the family; of its 19 genera, 7 are endemic to South America and 1, Archaeophylax Kimmins, is endemic to Australia (Wiggins 2002).
The Drusinae are restricted to the Palearctic region. Of the 8 genera in this subfamily, only Drusus Stephens contains more than half a dozen species; many of these are micro-endemics. Recent molecular studies have questioned the generic classification of Drusinae (Pauls et al. 2007).
The nominotypical subfamily contains over 60 genera, divided into 4 tribes. Chaetopterygini Hagen, with 10 genera, are a Palearctic group with about 60 species. Chilostigmini Schmid are a group of 11 small genera, with approximately 40 Old and New World species. The tribe Limnephilini Kolenati (21 genera, ca. 300 species) includes most of the lentic genera of the Limnephilidae; it also includes Limnephilus Leach, the most species-diverse genus, with nearly 200 described species widely distributed across the Holarctic region and as far south as Central America; 2 anomalous genera, Sphagnophylax Wiggins and Winchester, and Thermophylax Nimmo have been tentatively assigned to the Limnephilini, but this remains in some dispute (Morse 2006). The Stenophylacini Schmid (ca. 200 species) is primarily Old World in distribution, although 4 of its 23 genera are endemic to North America; 1 genus Mesophylax McLachlan, is found in Ethiopia and Arabia (Malicky 1998, 1999).
Pseudostenophylacinae is a small subfamily of 5 genera and about 100 species (Schmid 1990), with predominantly Oriental and Asian Palearctic distribution; the largest genus Pseudostenophylax Martynov (80 species, primarily Oriental) is represented in North America by 3 species.
This is arguably the most ecologically diverse caddisfly family, as larvae occupy the full range of habitats. Limnephilid larvae are found in lakes, streams, and marshes. Some species of Ironoquia live in temporary pools and streams. Desmona larvae have been observed leaving the water at night to feed on shoreline plants Erman 1981, Wiggins & Wisseman 1990), and a North American species of Philocasca Ross has an entirely terrestrial larva. Limnephilid larvae use both plant and mineral materials in their cases; the general trend in the family is that larvae in cool running waters use rock material, while those in warmer lentic habitats use plant material (Wiggins 1996)."
Ivanov,VD; Melnitsky,SI and Perkovsky,EE 2016 Caddisflies from Cenozoic resins of Europe. Paleontological Journal, 50(5), pp.485-493.
Abstract: "Analysis of the available data on the findings and taxonomical structure of caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera) in the Cenozoic fossil resins of Europe shows that there are four European amber regions (Baltic, Rovno, Saxonian, and Danish) are characterized by a relatively abundant trichopteran fauna, comprising 27 families, 72 genera, and 256 species. These faunas show the dominance of Psychomyioidea (families Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, and Ecnomidae) with Polycentropodidae comprising up to 75% of all records. The amber faunas are second in the dominance of Polycentropodidae only to the terminal Eocene of Florissant (84% of Polycentropodidae). No modern caddisfly species have been found. The amber regions are significantly different in the species composition of Trichoptera although the generic and family structures are similar. Comparison with the modern faunas of Europe shows the absence of advanced Limnephilidae, which are characteristic of the Holocene faunas of Europe, and the rarity of recently abundant Hydropsychidae and Hydroptilidae. The overall composition of amber Trichoptera suggests that it is structurally related to the faunas of Caucasus and Southeastern Asia and might be evidence of seasonally low-contrast (equable) climate in the Late Eocene of Europe."
Johansson,A and Johansson,F 1992 Effects of two different caddisfly case structures on predation by a dragonfly larva. Aquatic Insects 14 2, 73-84.
Abstract: "Dragonfly (Odonata) larvae Aeshna juncea L. preyed on two species of cased caddis larva (Trichoptera); Limnephilus pantodapus McLach. with long cylindrical cases and Limnephilus rhombicus L. with “hedgehog”; cases. Direct observations revealed that A. juncea larvae had a significantly shorter reaction time and a significantly longer handling time when preying on L. pantodapus larvae. Number of attacks, captures and ingestions by A. juncea were not significantly different between the two caddis larva. Capture success and ingestion efficiency did not differ significantly. Captures of L. pantodapus larvae were made through the case wall, while L. rhombicus larvae were captured from the front end of the case. In functional response experiments, A. juncea showed a higher attack rate and a longer handling time with L. pantodapus. In a mixed prey situation, a fixed preference for L. pantodapus larvae was apparent, and consequently no indication of switching was found. Observational experiments corroborated data from the functional response experiments."
Kolenati,FA 1848 Genera et species Trichopterorum. Pars prior. Acta Regiae Bohemoslovenicae Societatis Scientiarum, Prague, 6: 1-108.
Working in eastern Europe during the 1800's, Friedrich Kolenati (Wikipedia) described the caddis family Limnephilidae and many other interesting things in this paper.
Lepori,F 2023 Consumption of terrestrial invertebrates by limnephilid caddisflies (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) indicate an overlooked link in stream-riparian food webs. Food Webs, 34, p.e00266. html
Liess,M; Schulz,R 1996 Chronic effects of short-term contamination with the pyethroid insecticide fenvalerate on the caddisfly Limnephilus lunatus. Hydrobiologia 324, 99-106. PDF
Abstract: "Larvae of the caddisfly Limnephilus lunatus Curtis were exposed to the pyrethroid fenvalerate for one hour and transferred to artificial outdoor stream systems, where their survival rate and emergence were monitored over 84 days. Lethal effects of the pyrethroid almost always appeared shortly after the short-term contamination, but chronic influences were also observed. At a concentration of only 0.01 µg l-1 a slight increase in mortality over the entire period of observation, as well as a delay in development and hence in emergence occurred. Such reactions under field conditions may impair the survival of this species, and sublethal effects of brief pyrethroid contamination, previously largely ignored, can have important consequences for aquatic macroinvertebrates."
McCullagh,BS; Wissinger,SA and Marcus,JM 2015 Identifying PCR primers to facilitate molecular phylogenetics in Caddisflies (Trichoptera). Zoological Systematics, 40(4) 459 PDF
Abstract: "The molecular phylogenetics of the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) is well studied, but that of Trichoptera (caddisflies), the sister clade of Lepidoptera, is less studied. The PCR primer libraries developed for lepidopteran phylogenetics might work in Trichoptera. DNA from 8 caddisfly species (Asynarchus nigriculus (Banks, 1908), Grammotaulius lorettae Denning, 1941, Hesperophylax occidentalis (Banks, 1908), Limnephilus externus Hagen, 1861, Limnephilus picturatus McLachlan, 1875, Limnephilus secludens Banks, 1914, Limnephilus sublunatus Provancher, 1877 and Agrypnia deflata (Milne, 1931)) was used to screen for amplification. 107 primer pairs for 45 nuclear and 3 mitochondrial genes were tested. Primers for 1 new gene (40S ribosomal protein S2 (RPS2)) and 8 genes previously used in Trichopteran phylogenetics were recovered (16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase (CAD), cytochrome oxidase I (COI), cytochrome oxidase II (COII), elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1 alpha), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), and RNA polymerase-II (POL-II)). New primer pairs extended the genomic region sampled for many genes. Evolution rates among loci varied by 2 orders of magnitude. Differences among evolution rates and modes of inheritance offer flexible tools for resolving phylogenetic questions and examining genome evolution in the Trichoptera. Screening libraries of PCR primers is a useful approach for identifying PCR primers in related taxa with limited molecular genetic resources."
Nimmo,AP 1971 The adult Rhyacophilidae and Limnephilidae (Trichoptera) of Alberta and eastern British Columbia and their post glacial origin. Quaestiones Entomologicae 73: 3-234.
Nimmo,AP 1991 Seven new species of Limnephilus from Western North America with description of female of L. pallens (Banks) (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae, Limnephilinae, Limnephilini). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 93 2, 499-508.
Nimmo,AP 1995 New species of Hydropsychidae and Limnephilidae (Insecta, Trichoptera) from the far east of Russia, with description of a new genus of Limnephilidae (Limnephilini). Occasional Papers on Trichoptera Taxonomy 1, 1-15.
Oláh,J; Andersen,T; Beshkov,S; Bilalli,A; Coppa,G and Kovács,T 2019 Lineage sorting by parameres in Limnephilinae subfamily (Trichoptera): with description of a new tribe, new genera and new species. Opuscula Zoologica (Budapest), 50, pp.3-98. PDF
Peckarsky,BL; Dodson,SI and Conklin,DJ (1985): A key to the aquatic insects of streams in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab, including chironomid larvae from streams and ponds. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver CO. 47 pages.
Rawlinson,KC 2021 Phylogenetic Relationships of Genera in the Caddisfly Family Limnephilidae Using Anchored Hybrid Enrichment-based Phylogenomic Analysis (Insecta:Trichoptera)" (2021). Theses and Dissertations. 9766. PDF
Abstract: " Limnephilidae is a large family within Trichoptera, consisting of 4 subfamilies (Dicosmoecinae, Ecclisomyiinae, Limnephilinae, and Philocascinae), 98 genera, and 1178 species. It is among the most diverse families within Trichoptera. It is also ecologically diverse, occupying more habitats than any other family in the order. There are currently no published generic phylogenies of Limnephilidae based on molecular data. Here we used anchored hybrid enrichment to capture and sequence 922 loci for 57 species taken from what have been considered the full range of genera in the family. We expanded the taxon sampling by adding supplementary species with DNA barcodes, 28S sequences, or containing both from other sources. We present a favored tree from the collected data. We examine the evolutionary patterns associated with larval habitat transitions and highlight instances where our preferred evolutionary tree is incongruent with current limnephilid classification."
Ross,HH 1950 Synoptic notes on some nearctic Limnephilid caddisflies (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae). American Midland Naturalist 43 2, 410-429.
Ross,HH 1952 An annotated key to the nearctic males of Limnephilus (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae). American Midland Naturalist 47 2, 435-455.
Ruiter,DE 1995 The adult Limnephilus Leach (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) of the new world. Vol. 11. Ohio Biological Survey, College of Biological Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. 200 pages.
Schmid,F 1955 Contribution à l'étude des Limnophilidae (Trichoptera). Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 28.
This is the landmark study of worldwide adult Limnephilidae that established the family as we know it today. Slight modifications due to study of the western US fauna have been created by Wiggins in 1973.
Usis,JD; Foote,BA 1991 Influence of strip-mining on the mortality of a wetland caddisfly, Limnephilus indivisus (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae). Great Lakes Entomologist 24 (3) 133-143.
Vshivkova,T, Morse,JC, and Ruiter,D 2007 Phylogeny of Limnephilidae and composition of the genus Limnephilus (Limnephilidae, Limnephilinae, Limnephilini). Pages 309-319 in Bueno-Soria, Joaquín, Barba-Álvarez, Rafael, Armitage, Brian J. (eds.) Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Trichoptera. Columbus, Ohio, The Caddis Press. PDF
Abstract: "A world revision of the family Limnephilidae (Trichoptera: Integripalpia) was undertaken as a necessary step to determine the position, structure, and phylogeny of the genus Limnephilus and family-group taxa for which it is nominotypical. The family Limnephilidae sensu lato and included taxa were analyzed with modern phylogenetic techniques. For the phylogenetic analysis, morphological characters of adults and immature stages were used, including traditionally used characters and some that have been poorly investigated or never studied. As a result of the analysis, new hypotheses of relationships are proposed among Plenitentoria taxa. For the first time, monophyly is inferred for the following taxa: superfamily Limnephiloidea, family Limnephilidae, subfamily Limnephilinae, tribe Limnephilini, and Limnephilus sensu sticto. Some other family-group taxa are distinguished based on high bootstrap support, unreversed synapomorphies, and/or topography, including a new family -group for Trichoptera, "Branch," more inclusive than the family catagory and less inclusive than the superfamily category."
Weaver III,JS and Morse,JC 1986 Evolution of feeding and case-making behavior in Trichoptera. Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 5(2) 150-158. PDF
Abstract: "A phylogeny of the families of Trichoptera is reviewed to provide a basis for understanding the probable evolution of feeding tactics and case or retreat constructions by larvae. At least 48 hierarchically inclusive homologues are known, mostly from larval, pupal, and adult morphology. Their resulting phylogeny indicates that Rhyacophilidae, Hydrobiosidae, Glossosomatidae, and Hydroptilidae are more closely related to Philopotamidae, Hydropsychidae, and their allies than to Limnephilidae, Leptoceridae, and their allies. This phylogeny implies that the ancestral caddisfly larva was probably a tube-dwelling detritivore, inhabiting humus and detrital mats near the shores of lentic or lotic-depositional habitats. This ancestor evolved into a tube-case-making detritivore and scraper in the ancestor of Integripalpia and into a retreat-making collector-gatherer in the ancestor of Annulipalpia. All other larval feeding and case-making tactics evolved from these ancestral habits."
Wiggins,GB 1973 Contributions to the systematics of the caddisfly family Limnephilidae (Trichoptera). I Royal Ontario Museum, Life Sciences Contributions 94: 1-32.
Wiggins,GB 1975 Contributions to the systematics of the caddifly family Limnephilidae (Trichoptera). II Canadian Entomologist 107(3):325-336.
Wissinger,SA; Brown,WS and Jannot,JE 2003 Caddisfly life histories along permanence gradients in high altitude wetlands in Colorado (U.S.A.). Freshwater Biology 48(2). Abstract  (427 KB)
" SUMMARY 1. Larvae of cased caddisflies (Limnephilidae and Phryganeidae) are among the most abundant and conspicuous invertebrates in northern wetlands. Although species replacements are often observed along permanence gradients, the underlying causal mechanisms are poorly understood. In this paper, we report on the distributional patterns of caddisflies in permanent and temporary high-altitude ponds, and how those patterns reflect differences in life history characteristics that affect desiccation tolerance (fundamental niches) versus constraints related to biotic interactions (realised niches).
2. Species (Hesperophylax occidentalis and Agrypnia deflata) that were encountered only in permanent ponds are restricted in distribution by life history (no ovarian diapause, aquatic oviposition, and/or inability to tolerate desiccation). Although the egg masses of H. occidentalis tolerate desiccation, the larvae leave the protective gelatinous matrix of the egg mass because adults oviposit in water.
3. Three species (Asynarchus nigriculus, Limnephilus externus and L. picturatus) have life history characteristics (rapid larval growth, ovarian diapause and terrestrial oviposition of desiccation-tolerant eggs) that should facilitate the use of both permanent and temporary habitats. However, A. nigriculus is rare or absent in most permanent ponds, and L. externus and L. picturatus are rare or absent in most temporary ponds. Experimental data from a previous study on the combined effects of salamander predation and interspecific interactions among caddisflies (e.g. intraguild predation) suggest that biotic interactions limit each species to a subset of potentially exploitable habitats.
4. Many wetland invertebrates exhibit species replacements along permanence gradients, but few studies have separated the relative importance of the effects of drying per se from the effects of biotic interactions. Our results emphasise the complementary roles of comparative data on life histories and experimental data on competition and predation for understanding invertebrate distributions along permanence gradients."
Wissinger,SA; Perchik,ME and Klemmer,AJ 2018 Role of animal detritivores in the breakdown of emergent plant detritus in temporary ponds. Freshwater Science, 37(4), pp.826-835.
Abstract: "Few in situ studies have investigated the biological drivers of detritus processing in shallow lentic systems, despite abundant evidence that vascular plant detritus is a primary source of nutrients and energy. In particular, the relative importance of microbial decomposers and animal detritivores to overall detritus breakdown is poorly documented. Caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) are often the biomass-dominant animal detritivores in high-elevation and high-latitude ponds and wetlands in the northern hemisphere. The larvae of many limnephilid caddisfly species are shredders that rely on detritus as their primary food source, and they may therefore play an important role in litter breakdown in lentic systems. Here, we manipulated abundances (present/absent) of caddisfly larvae in shallow montane ponds in Colorado, and compared sedge detritus breakdown rates across treatments. We found that coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) was converted to fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) 2 to 3× faster when caddisflies were allowed access to the detritus than when not, indicating that caddisflies play a key role in litter breakdown in these temporary habitats. Dietary data from the 6 species of caddisflies in the ponds revealed that all primarily consume CPOM derived from vascular plants, although the ratios of CPOM and FPOM in the diets varied among species. The biomass of caddisflies relative to detrital inputs is particularly high at our study sites compared with other eutrophic, low-elevation wetlands. Thus, we suspect that animal detritivory relative to microbial processing may be especially high in these ponds. Future in situ, whole-community studies in basins that differ in hydroperiod, nutrient status, and ratio of detrital inputs to detritivore biomass will be needed to construct a general model of detritus breakdown in shallow lentic freshwater habitats."
Wissinger,SA; Sparks,GB; Rouse,GL; Brown,WS; Steltzer,HM 1996 Intraguild predation and cannibalism among larvae of detritivorus caddisflies in subalpine wetlands. Ecology 77 8, 2421-2430.
Wissinger, S.A., J. Whissel, C. Eldermire, and W. Brown. 2006 Predator defense along a permanence gradient: roles of case structure, behavior, and developmental phenology in caddisflies, Oecologia, Pages 1 - 12. Abstract (311 KB)
Wisseman,RW 1987 Biology and distribution of the Dicosmoecinae (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) in western North America. MS thesis Oregon State University. 137 pages PDF
Abstract: "Literature and museum records have been reviewed to provide a summary on the distribution, habitat associations and biology of six western North American Dicosmoecinae genera and the single eastern North American genus, Ironoquia. Results of this survey are presented and discussed for Allocosmoecus, Amphicosmoecus and Ecclisomyia.
Field studies were conducted in western Oregon on the life-histories of four species, Dicosmoecus atripes,
D. gilvipes, Onocosmoecus unicolor and Ecclisocosmoecus scylla.
Although there are similarities between genera in the general habitat requirements, the differences or variability is such that we cannot generalize to a "typical" dicosmoecine life-history strategy. A common thread for the subfamily is the association with cool, montane streams. However, within this stream category habitat associations range from semi-aquatic, through first-order specialists, to river inhabitants. In feeding habits most species are omnivorous, but they range from being primarily detritivorous to algal grazers. The seasonal occurrence of the various life stages and voltinism patterns are also variable.
Larvae show inter- and intraspecific segregation in the utilization of food resources and microhabitats in streams. Larval life-history patterns appear to be closely linked to seasonal regimes in stream discharge. A functional role for the various types of case architecture seen between and within species is examined. Manipulation of case architecture appears to enable efficient utilization of a changing seasonal pattern of
microhabitats and food resources."
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