Philopotamidae

Philopotamidae
Dolophilodes sp. larva
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Trichoptera
Suborder: Annulipalpia
Superfamily: Philopotamoidea
Family: Philopotamidae
Stephens, 1829
Subfamilies

see text

Philopotamidae is a family of insects in the order Trichoptera, the caddisflies. They are known commonly as the finger-net caddisflies.[1][2]

The aquatic larvae of these caddisflies spin mesh nets of silk in flowing water to catch food. A larva can spin over a kilometer of extremely thin silk to create its intricate net.[3]

Subfamilies and genera include:[2]

  1. ^ Philopotamidae. Chironomidae Research Group, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota.
  2. ^ a b Philopotamidae. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
  3. ^ Wallace, J. B. and D. Malas. (1976). The fine structure of capture nets of larval Philopotamidae (Trichoptera), with special emphasis on Dolophilodes distinctus. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 54(10) 1788-1802.