Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

A variety of cased caddisfly larvae, probably mostly Neophylax, have clustered along the backside of a rock in fast water. There seem to be some Helicopsychidae larvae clustered along the bottom, and a few other taxa are mixed in. It's interesting that several larvae have especially large stones placed over the front openings of their cases, perhaps to block the case off for pupation.

It does seem to be the wrong time of year for Neophylax to be pupating, but that was the ID given for one of these which I collected and photographed up close.

In this picture: Caddisfly Genus Neophylax (Autumn Mottled Sedges) and Caddisfly Genus Helicopsyche (Speckled Peters).

Several caddis larvae cling in the current amongst the debris collected on an underwater alder branch.

In this picture: Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies).

Hundreds of cased caddis larvae cling to sparse weed growth in the sand under heavy current.

In this picture: Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies).

Several Baetid mayfly nymphs cling to this rock. There are also some clumps of small stones which hold strong caddisfly larvae.

In this picture: Mayfly Family Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olives) and Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies).

Several caddisfly larvae in their cases cling to the debris in this picture.

In this picture: Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies).

The caddis larvae in this picture built their cases from tiny pebbles.

In this picture: Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies).

This underwater log hosts hundreds of caddisfly larvae, some in cases and some in spiderweb-like lairs.

In this picture: Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies).

The strange tubes all over this rock house tiny midge larvae.

In this picture: Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies), Insect Order Ephemeroptera (Mayflies), and True Fly Family Chironomidae (Midges).

A few caddis larvae cling to this partially submerged clump of streamside grass.

In this picture: Insect Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies).