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Stick caddis (Triplectidina)

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Taxonomic group

Leptoceridae: Triplectidina

Diagnostic features

Triplectidina caddis larvae construct mobile cases out of plant fragments such as small bits of bark and seeds. They are very similar in appearance to Triplectides, but the legs of Triplectidina lack any dark bands.

[Triplectidina]. Image: Stephen Moore Image
Triplectidina. Image: Stephen Moore
[Triplectidina]. Image: Stephen Moore Image
Triplectidina. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

Our Triplectidina specimens have come from lakes, but they are also known from slow flowing streams.

Feeding

They are assumed to be shredders (like Triplectides), feeding on leaf litter and the microbes decomposing the litter.

Indicator value

  • Hard bottom: 5
  • Soft bottom: unassigned

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

Triplectidina are far less commonly recorded than Triplectides and we know little about their value as indicators of water quality. They have a tolerance value of 5 for hard bottom sites, but there is no value for soft bottom sites.