Smooth cased caddis (Olinga)

Taxonomic group

Conoesucidae: Olinga

Diagnostic features

Olinga caddis larvae construct smooth mobile cases that lack sand grains (except sometimes in small/young individuals). The aperture of the case is straight (unlike Beraeoptera). The rounded, orange or red head lacks conspicuous hairs (unlike Pycnocentrodes). There is a black mark on the side of the body behind the hind leg (unlike Pycnocentria).

[Olinga]. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Olinga. Image: Stephen Moore

[Olinga]. Black mark behind hind leg. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Olinga. Black mark behind hind leg. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

Olinga larvae are most common in bush covered, cold water, stony streams.

Feeding

They are collector-gatherers (feeding on fine particulate organic matter) and shredders (feeding on leaf litter).

Indicator value

Hard bottom: 9
Soft bottom: 7.9

The tolerance values (ranging from 0 to 10) give an indication of which are the sensitive taxa (values of 8 or more) and which are the tolerant taxa (values of 3 or less). For more information see: Indicator species

An abundance of Olinga larvae indicates good habitat and water quality, particularly if mayfly and stonefly nymphs are also abundant. They have tolerance values of 9 (hard bottom sites) and 7.9 (soft bottom sites).