Philopotamidae

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

see text

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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]

References

  1. Philopotamidae. Chironomidae Research Group, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota.
  2. 2.0 2.1 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.