1. Larvae construct portable cases of sand grains or small rock fragments, coiled to resemble snail shell (Fig. 1.1.); anal claw comb-shaped (Fig.1.1b). Helicopsychidae Helicopsyche borealis
Larvae construct cylindrical portable cases that do not resemble coiled snail shell, or larva does not construct protable case; anal claw with stout apical hook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Metanotum entirely covered by sclerite (Fig. 1.2.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Metanotum entirely membranous (Fig. 1.3.), or largely so but with several pairs of smaller sclerites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. Abdomen with ventolateral rows of branched gills (Fig.1.4.), and with prominent tuft of long setae at base of anal proleg (Fig.1.5.); Larvae construct fixed retreats of detritus and rock fragments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsychidae
Abdomen without either branched gills or tuft of setae at base of anal proleg. Abdomen dorsoventrally flatten, or (usually) laterally flattened. Very small size (>4 mm) (Fig. 1.6.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydroptilidae
4. Antenna markedly elongate and prominent, at least 6 times as long as wide (Fig. 1.7.), and/or sclerotized plates on mesonotum lightly pigmented except for pair of darked curved lines on posterior half. Larvae construct portable cases of various materials. . . . . . . . . Leptoceridae
Antenna of normal length, not more than 3 times as long as wide, or not apparent; mesonotum never with pair of dark curved lines as above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5. Mesonotum largely or entirely membranous (Fig. 1.8.), or with small sclerites covering not more than half of notum; pronotum never with anterolateral lobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Mesonotum largely covered by sclerotized plates, variously subdivided, and typically pigmented, although sometimes lightly (Fig. 1.9.); pronotum sometimes with prominent anterlateral lobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6. Abdominal tergum IX with sclerite (Fig. 1.10.), sometimes pale and inconspicuous or obscured by posterior margin of abdominal tergum VIII. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Abdominal tergum IX entirely membranous (Fig. 1.11.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
7. Metanotal sa3 typically consisting of cluster of setae arising from small rounded or ovoid sclerite (Fig. 1.12.); prosternal horn present, Larvae construct tubular portable cases, typically of plant materials. Head marked by dark stripes (Fig. 1.13.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phryganeidae
Metanodal sa3 consisting of single seta with or without sclerite (Fig. 1.14.); prosternal horn absent. Larvae either without protable tubular cases, or with tortoise-like domed cases of rock fragments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8. Anal proleg with basal half broadly jointed with segment IX (Fig. 1.15.), anal claw with at least one dorsal accessory hook. Larvae construct tortois-like domed portable cases of rock fragments, but larvae often taken without case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glossosomatidae
Anal proleg mostly free from segment IX (Fig. 1.16.), anal claw without dorsal accessory hook, although a secondary lateral claw may be present. Larvae free-living, without cases or fixed retreats until pupation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhyacophilidae, Rhyacophila
9. Labrum pale, membranous and T-shaped (Fig. 1.17), often withdrawn from view in preserved specimens. Larvae construct fixed sac-shaped nets of silk. Head 2X long as wide (Fig. 1.18.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philopotamidae
Labrum sclerotized, rounded, articulate in the normal way and never withdrawn (Fig. 1.19). . 10
10. Fore trochantin extended as broadened, hatchet-shaped, lobe (Fig. 1.20.). Larvae construct fixed tubular retreats of sand and debris on rocks and logs (Fig. 1.20a). . . . . .Psychomyiidae
Fore trochantin with apex acute, not expanded into broadened lobe (Fig. 1.21). . . . . . . . . . . 11
11. Tarsi of all legs markedly flattened, tibiae shorter than tarsi (Fig. 1.22). Larvae construct tubes of sand and silk, buried in soft sediments. Unglaciated Ohio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dipseudopsidae, Phylocentropus
Tarsi of all legs normal and not flattened, tibiae longer than tarsi (Fig. 1.23). Larvae construct exposed funnel-shaped or tubular filter nets of silk or flattened retreats . . Polycentropodidae
12. Abdominal segment I lacking both dorsal and lateral humps, metanotal sa1 absent or represented only by single seta without sclerite. Larvae construct portable cases of diverse architecture but often 4-sided, using mainly plant materials although sometimes sand or silk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brachycentridae
Abdominal segment I always with lateral hump although not always prominent and typically with median dorsal hump; metanotal sa1 always present, typically represented by sclerite bearing several setae but with a least a single seta. Larvae construct protable cases of widely differing form and materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
13. Mesopleuron (and propleuron) extended anteriorly as prominent, acutely or bluntly pointed processes (Fig 1.26). Larvae construct cases of rock fragments (Fig. 1.27). . . Goeridae, Goera
Mesopleuron not extended anteriorly as pointed process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
14. Antenna situated near anterior margin of eye (Fig. 1.28); abdominal segment I without median dorsal hump. Larvae construct cases of varied architecture using various materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lepidostomatidae, Lepidostoma*
Antenna not near anterior margin of eye, situated approximately midway to the anterior margin of head capsule as to eye or closer; abdominal segment I almost always with median dorsal hump (Fig. 1.28). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
15. Antenna situated approximately midway between anterior margin of head capsule and eye (Fig. 1.29); prosternal horn typically present although sometimes short (Fig. 1.30); chloride epithelia typically present (Fig. 1.30) on at least some abdominal segments. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Antenna situated at or near anterior margin of head capsule; proternal horn and chloride epithelia absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
16. Mesonotum notched anteromedially (Fig. 1.31). Larvae have single abdominal gills; constructing slender cases, or stouter cases of rock fragments, often with smaller stones arranged linerally along each side (Fig. 1.32). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thremmatidae (Uenoidae) Neophylax
Mesonotum not notched anteromedially (Fig. 1.33). Chloride epithelia typically present on at least some abdominal segments (Fig. 1.34). Cases of plant (Fig. 1.35) or mineral materials or a combination of the two. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Limnephilidae
17. Tarsal claw of hind leg modified to form short stub or slender filament. Cases of sand grains with flanges on sides and overhanging anterior opening. . . . . . . . . . . Molannidae, Molanna
Tarsal claw of hind leg not different in structure from those of other legs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Odontoceridae, Psilotreta
* Larvae of the family Lepidostomatidae have not been described, except for Lepidostoma griseum.
Key to Caddisfly (Trichoptera) Nymphs Families