**Caddisfly Species Helicopsyche borealis (Speckled Peter)**

Mayflies

Caddisflies

Stoneflies

Taxonomic Navigation -?-

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

» Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

» Class Insecta (Insects)

» Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

» Family Helicopsychidae

» Genus Helicopsyche (Speckled Peters)

» Species borealis (Speckled Peter)

Common Name

Match	Common Name
	Speckled Peter

This is the only important trout stream species of Helicopsyche. It has an unusual wing characteristic, described by Gary LaFontaine in Caddisflies:

The adult appears different in flight from other caddisflies because the top set of wings is attached to the bottom by a row of hooks, so the four wings beat together, not as two spread-out sets.

Where & When

Regions: East, Midwest, West

Time Of Year (?): Early May through July

Preferred Waters: Rivers or lakes; best in spring creeks and large rivers

The emergence of this species lasts a few weeks in any given location. It begins in the East in early May and lasts through June, while in the West it begins in mid-June and lasts through early July.

Hatching Behavior

Time Of Day (?): Evening

Egg-Laying Behavior

Time Of Day: Evening

LaFontaine gives a slightly confusing account of the ovipositing behaivor of this species in Caddisflies, suggesting that they may flutter around on or near the water's surface looking for solid objects to attach their eggs to, or may drop them in the water. Swisher and Richards give a clearer picture in Selective Trout:

During egg laying, the females float in the surface close to the banks, crawl underwater, and flop on the surface to oviposit. They then ride the water serenely in the normal resting position, and trout take them with gentle rises.

Larva & Pupa Biology

Diet: Algae, detritus (Detritus: Small, loose pieces of decaying organic matter underwater.), animal matter

Environmental Tolerance: Very tolerant: can thrive in both cold water and hot springs up to 110°F

Shelter Type: Coiled sand case shaped like a snail shell

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