Caddisfly Family Limnephilidae (Northern Caddisflies)
Taxonomic Navigation -?-
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
» Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
» Class Insecta (Insects)
» Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies)
» Family Limnephilidae (Northern Caddisflies)
33 genera aren't included.
Common Names
| Match | Common Name |
 | Northern Caddisflies |
| Giant Sedges |
Limnephilidae contains so many species that it is difficult to generalize about them all. LaFontaine commented on the task in Caddisflies:
The fact that fly fishermen need broad principles of biology, not a collection of exceptions, makes it difficult to handle this family.
I recommend learning which genera or species are prevalent in your area and studying them specifically.
Where & When
There are species in this family for any type of water, but it's worth nothing that many species or genera exist mostly or entirely in lakes and ponds.Many species enter diapause (Diapause: A state of complete dormancy deeper even than hibernation. While in diapause, an organism does not move around, eat, or even grow. Some caddisfly larvae enter diapause for a few weeks to several months. Some species of microscopic zooplankton can enter diapause for several hundred years.) during the summer to coordinate their fall emergence so that all individuals emerge within a few weeks and have no trouble locating mates.
Hatching Behavior
Time Of Day (?): Any time, depending on species, but often overnight
Limnephilidae pupae may emerge on the surface or by crawling out onto rocks and the shore, depending on species and sometimes varying within a single species.Egg-Laying Behavior
Many Limnephilidae females lay their eggs on dry land near the water, waiting for them to be washed in by rain or taken by floods. Others dive to the bottom to lay eggs.Larva & Pupa Biology
Diet: Algae, decaying leaves and wood, decaying animalsShelter Type: Tube with silk on the inside and plant matter, sand, or gravel on the outside
8 Caddisfly Specimens in the Family Limnephilidae:
Pycnopsyche (Great Autumn Brown Sedges) Caddisfly Larva
View 12 Pictures
View 12 PicturesRegion: Northeast
Collected Apr 1, 2007
Added Apr 3, 2007
Limnephilus (Summer Flier Sedges) Caddisfly Larva
View 4 Pictures
View 4 PicturesRegion: Upper Midwest
Collected Jan 14, 2004
Added Jan 25, 2006
Limnephilidae (Northern Caddisflies) Caddisfly Larva
View 4 Pictures
View 4 PicturesRegion: Upper Midwest
Collected Mar 1, 2004
Added Jan 25, 2006
Recent Discussions of Limnephilidae
You Western anglers - any experience with the Giant Orange Sedges? 6 Replies »
Posted by Troutnut on Jul 29, 2006 in the genus Dicosmoecus
Last reply on Oct 13, 2007 by Dano
This seems to be a very important insect for which I have no experience and few sources. I want to be sure that my writeup is accurate and fairly complete. Do any of you who fish out west know any details I've left out?
ReplyApataniidae? 3 Replies »I believe the genus Apatania is in its own family--Apataniidae. Also, because not all Limnephilidae are "giants," the most frequently used common name for this family is "Northern Caddisflies."
ReplyA good Dicosmoecus discussion 1 Reply »Posted by Troutnut on Aug 22, 2006 in the genus Dicosmoecus
Last reply on Aug 23, 2006 by Taxon
There's a good topic with people sharing their experiences with Dicosmoecus over at the Washington Fly Fishing Forum.
ReplyOctober Caddis 2 Replies »Posted by Taxon on Jul 29, 2006 in the genus Dicosmoecus
Last reply on Aug 18, 2006 by Upnorth2
Jason-
In the Pacific NW, Dicosmoecus are generally referred to as either October Caddis or Fall Caddis. The field guide I generally recommend for western fly fishers is Hatch Guide For Western Streams by Jim Schollmeyer. This is what he has to say about Dicosmoecus pupae, and I believe it clarifies any ambiguity of the passage you quoted from Caddisflies:
ReplyIn the Pacific NW, Dicosmoecus are generally referred to as either October Caddis or Fall Caddis. The field guide I generally recommend for western fly fishers is Hatch Guide For Western Streams by Jim Schollmeyer. This is what he has to say about Dicosmoecus pupae, and I believe it clarifies any ambiguity of the passage you quoted from Caddisflies:
In the early or mid summer, the larvae reach maturity and move from the faster currents to the slower flows that are generally found along the margins of the stream. Then they attach their cases to the rocks, seal themselves inside, and begin pupation. This transformation takes about two months. When the pupae are ready to emerge anytime between late afternoon and dark, they chew open the front of their cases and swim or crawl to the surface. The ones that find exposed rocks cling to them close to or just above the waterline; their pupal shucks split open and the adults emerge. Larvae that took refuge and pupated behind unexposed mid-stream rocks pupate and emerge in the open water. Most pupae emerge from waters that are too shallow or too exposed for trout. Any pupae that emerge in deep or open waters are vulnerable as they swim to shore or the surface.
There is 1 more topic.
New features!
