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Caddisfly Family Brachycentridae (Apple Caddis and Grannoms)

Taxonomic Navigation -?-
» Family Brachycentridae (Apple Caddis and Grannoms)
Genus in BrachycentridaeNumber of SpecimensNumber of Pictures
AmiocentrusLittle Western Weedy-Water Sedges00
BrachycentrusGrannoms543
MicrosemaLittle Grannoms15

2 genera aren't included.
Common Name
MatchCommon Name
****Apple Caddis and Grannoms
Pictures Below ↓
Brachycentrus is one of the most important caddisfly genera in America. Microsema is smaller and rarely, if ever, significant. Amiocentrus aspilus can be an important Western hatch.

Hatching Behavior


Brachycentridae caddisflies emerge on the surface. The pupae may drift for 10 to 20 feet on the surface, but once they escape their shucks (
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Here's an underwater view of the pupal shucks of several already-emerged Brachycentrus numerosus caddisflies.
Here's an underwater view of the pupal shucks of several already-emerged Brachycentrus numerosus caddisflies.
Shuck: The shed exoskeleton left over when an insect molts into its next stage or instar. Most often it describes the last nymphal or pupal skin exited during emergence into a winged adult.) they quickly take to the air, so pupal imitations are ideal.

The emergence of most species is unusually concentrated, causing good rises of trout.

Egg-Laying Behavior


Females may dive underwater or fall spent (Spent: The wing position of many aquatic insects when they fall on the water after mating. The wings of both sides lay flat on the water. The word may be used to describe insects with their wings in that position, as well as the position itself.) on the surface to lay their eggs.

Larva & Pupa Biology


Diet: Algae, plankton

Shelter Type: Plant matter or rock, arranged in circular or rectangular cross-section

Brachycentridae Fly Fishing Tips


Swisher and Richards note in Selective Trout that the males are a hook size smaller than the females. This may not be important during emergence, but one should certainly use the larger size during the all-female egg-laying.

Pictures of 9 Caddisfly Specimens in the Family Brachycentridae:

Specimen Page:12
Brachycentrus appalachia (Apple Caddis) Caddisfly AdultBrachycentrus appalachia (Apple Caddis) Caddisfly Adult View 13 PicturesI captured this specimen in the same color as this photograph, during its egg-laying flight. The emergers are much lighter.
Collected May 13, 2007 from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 18, 2007
Brachycentrus appalachia (Apple Caddis) Caddisfly AdultBrachycentrus appalachia (Apple Caddis) Caddisfly Adult View 5 Pictures
Collected May 7, 2005 from the Beaverkill River in New York
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 16, 2006
Brachycentrus (Grannoms) Caddisfly PupaBrachycentrus (Grannoms) Caddisfly Pupa View 10 PicturesThe green blob contained in this case is a pupa in the early stages of transformation from larva to the final stage we generally picture and imitate. This specimen and several like it were fixed to a rock I picked up, and each one had the front of its case sealed off, protecting the helpless pupa from predation. It's neat to see the insect part-way through such a radical transformation.

It was very hard to extract this thing from its case, so there's a bit of extra goo near the head from where I accidentally punctured it.
Collected April 14, 2007 from Cayuta Creek in New York
Added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 22, 2007
Specimen Page:12

2 Streamside Pictures of Brachycentridae Caddisflies:

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In this picture: Caddisfly Genus Brachycentrus (Grannoms). From the Neversink River in New York.


In this picture: Caddisfly Genus Brachycentrus (Grannoms).
StateNew York
LocationNeversink River
Date TakenMay 12, 2007
Date AddedJun 5, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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I'm not sure what these clusters of grannoms are doing lying dead and mostly upside down in clusters on the rocks. Anyone have an explanation? In this picture: Caddisfly Genus Brachycentrus (Grannoms). From the Neversink River in New York.
I'm not sure what these clusters of grannoms are doing lying dead and mostly upside down in clusters on the rocks. Anyone have an explanation?

In this picture: Caddisfly Genus Brachycentrus (Grannoms).
StateNew York
LocationNeversink River
Date TakenMay 12, 2007
Date AddedJun 5, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi

4 Underwater Pictures of Brachycentridae Caddisflies:

Underwater Photo Page:12
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This picture from below shows a stillborn Ephemerella subvaria (Hendrickson) dun drifting on the surface amidst a number of shed pupal skins from Brachycentrus caddisflies which were heavily hatching that day. In this picture: Mayfly Species Ephemerella subvaria (Hendrickson) and Caddisfly Species Brachycentrus appalachia (Apple Caddis). From the East Branch of the Delaware River in New York.
This picture from below shows a stillborn (
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This stillborn Ephemerella subvaria dun is trapped in its shuck.
This stillborn Ephemerella subvaria dun is trapped in its shuck.
Stillborn: In fly fishing, a stillborn insect is one which got stuck in its nymphal or pupal shuck during emergence and floats helplessly on the surface instead of flying away. It is a specific class of cripple, although it is sometimes used interchangeably with that term.) Ephemerella subvaria (Hendrickson) dun drifting on the surface amidst a number of shed pupal skins from Brachycentrus caddisflies which were heavily hatching that day.

In this picture: Mayfly Species Ephemerella subvaria (Hendrickson) and Caddisfly Species Brachycentrus appalachia (Apple Caddis).
StateNew York
LocationEast Branch of the Delaware River
Date TakenApr 19, 2006
Date AddedApr 22, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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A Brachycentrus "Apple Caddis" pupa scoots around in the surface film. Apparently it had some difficulty emerging, so I was able to slip my camera underneath it and take a picture from below. In this picture: Caddisfly Species Brachycentrus appalachia (Apple Caddis). From the East Branch of the Delaware River in New York.
A Brachycentrus "Apple Caddis" pupa scoots around in the surface film. Apparently it had some difficulty emerging, so I was able to slip my camera underneath it and take a picture from below.

In this picture: Caddisfly Species Brachycentrus appalachia (Apple Caddis).
StateNew York
LocationEast Branch of the Delaware River
Date TakenApr 19, 2006
Date AddedApr 22, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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The large caddisfly case (really less than 1/2 inch) is a Brachycentridae larva. The other cases are actually the protective sheaths of black fly (Simuliidae) pupae. The two antler-like pieces sticking out of each one are not legs, but antennal sheaths. In this picture: True Fly Family Simuliidae (Black Flies) and Caddisfly Family Brachycentridae (Apple Caddis and Grannoms). From Spring Creek in Wisconsin.
The large caddisfly case (really less than 1/2 inch) is a Brachycentridae larva. The other cases are actually the protective sheaths of black fly (Simuliidae) pupae. The two antler-like pieces sticking out of each one are not legs, but antennal sheaths.

In this picture: True Fly Family Simuliidae (Black Flies) and Caddisfly Family Brachycentridae (Apple Caddis and Grannoms).
StateWisconsin
LocationSpring Creek
Date TakenJun 22, 2006
Date AddedJul 1, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
Underwater Photo Page:12

Recent Discussions of Brachycentridae

caddis fly phonics guide 6 Replies »
Posted by SlapNuts on Oct 30, 2009
Last reply on Oct 31, 2009 by Taxon
I have trouble pronouncing the scientific names of most caddis flies. Does anyone know where I can find a phonics name list or guide.

Example Ephemerella ef uh mare el uh
Replygrannom caddis 50 Replies »
Posted by Goose on Sep 26, 2006 in the genus Brachycentrus
Last reply on Jun 13, 2008 by Quillgordon
Hi All! I was reading through the site and I happened upon the Grannom (Apple) Caddis page, which made me wonder. Here in PA it is called The Mother's Day Caddis, I believe. Adults, which trout rarely feed on, are imitated with black or peacock herl bodies. The pupa, or emrgers I guess, we imitate with a wet fly. It has a peacock herl body and brown hackle for the legs, etc. in a size 14. Is this the same Grannon as the apple Grannom? Just curious!
I still get confused by these caddis and I'm trying to narrow down a list of caddis patterns and colors to cover the largest percentage of the hatches throughout the year.
ReplyGrannoms 11 Replies »
Posted by Grannom on Apr 29, 2007
Last reply on Apr 26, 2008 by Grannom
First, an introduction. I am 15 years old and live in Northwestern Pa. I have been reading the forums for quite a few years now, as they have helped me expand my knowledge.
I am interested in learning as much as possible about the grannom caddis. I would appreciate any information that you could offer about them, along with possible patterns and life cycle information. Thank you in advance.


Mike
ReplyWhat's happening here? 5 Replies »
Posted by Troutnut on Jun 5, 2007 in the genus Brachycentrus
Last reply on Jun 6, 2007 by Troutnut
Check out the two streamside pictures on my Brachycentrus page. I found these clusters of dead grannoms in a few different spots along a Catskill river on May 12th, while many members of (seemingly) the same species were in the air laying eggs and occasionally falling spent and being eaten by trout.

Have you ever seen these clusters? What's the explanation?
Reply
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