1.         Frontoclypeus with two large upturned teeth or denticles on anterior margin (Fig. 1.1). . . . . 2

           Anterior margin of frontoclypeus straight or convex; without upturned teeth. . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

2.         Frontoclypeus typically with large V-shaped mark (Fig.1.2); entire posterior one-fourth of head            yellow (Fig. 1.3); lateral and ventral, aspect of genae with little dark pigmentation, mostly                         yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche orris

            Frontoclypeus with two large anterolateral spots (Fig. 1.4); wide dark areas adjoining epicranial             arm; lateral, ventral, aspects of genae mostly dark with only a narrow yellow band behind eye. .             . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche bidens

            Head dorsally with 2 large, conspicuous yellow spots (Fig. 1. X); head ventrally and laterally             mostly yellow (Fig. 1.Y). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche incommoda 

3.         Large, conspicuous and heavily sclerotized stout setae on venter of anal legs. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

            Large and heavily sclerotinized stout setae absent from venter of legs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.         Numerous black, bristle-like setae on posterior half of frontoclypeus. Stout spine-like setae on             venter of anal legs more long and slender. Color pattern of head with 4 white spots anterior on             a black background; posterior margin of head with teardrop shaped yellow markings meeting at             coronal suture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche valanis

            Posterior half of frontoclypeus lacking conspicuous stout, brinstle-like setae. Stout spine-like             setae on anal legs sorter, stouter and heavier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

5.         Head pattern light anteriorly and posteriorly with dark transverse pattern across middle area. All             thoracic nota pale yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

            Head pattern with more extensive brown pigment. I thoracic nota are pale yellow the pronotum             is at least patterened and/or freckled with brown and darker than other thoracic nota. . . . . . 7

6.         Stout, spine-like setae on venter of anal legs same size, shape, and color as those on ventral             sclerites of ninth segment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche aerata

            These spine-like setae much smaller and less robust than those on venter of ninth segment. . . .             . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche frisoni

7.         Anterior half of frontoclypeus with two rows of large, yellow spots; first row with three spots,             second typically with four; posterior half of sclerite mottled with brown. Hydropsyche patera

            Frontoclypeus lacking two rows of pale spots anteriad. . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche scalaris

8.         Posterior angle of frontoclypeus with elevated mound or tubecle best seen in lateral or                         prosterior view of head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

            Posterior angle of frontoclyepus level with rest of posterior half of sclerite; no mound or                         tubercle present. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

9.         Sides of head evenly curved; head typically unicolored dark brown to black except for light area             around eye and occasionally behind eye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche depravata Group                (There are two species in Ohio: H. betteni, throughout the state; and, H. depravata, mostly in             southwest quarter of state)

10.        Frontoclypeus with many stout, bristle-like setae conspicuous on body of sclerite; most                         abundant on posterhalf of sclerite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

            Bristle-like setae, if present, restricted to anterolateral corners of frontoclypeus; posterior half of             sclerite may have minute, clear, spine-like setae but lacks larger bristle-like setae. . . . . . . . . . . .             . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche dicantha

11.        Frontoclypeus with two pairs of yellow spots, one pair centerally located, the other pair                         anterolateral to these; spots often fused to form large, diagonal streaks on anterior portion of             sclerite; posterior half of sclerite mottled; in lateral view dark area behind eye with three to four             horizontal rows of yellow muscle scars curved dorsad posteriorly; dark pigment behind eye             contiguous with dark pigment ofn venter of head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche venularis

            Frontoclypeus with single pair of centrally located spots; yellow muscle scars behind eyes not in             rows; at least a narrow yellow band separating dark pigment behind eye and that of venter of             head; posterior half of frontoclypeus solid dark brown, not mottled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

12.        Dorsum of head dark brown with two small, often inconspicuous spots; venter of head mostly             dark brown, except for two quadrate yellow spots adjacent to gular suture; pigmentation of             dorsum and venter of head separated by yellow band behind eyes to back margin of head; area             around eyes yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche hageni

            Frontoclypeus dark brown with pair of large, conspicuous yellow spots; large, yellow areas on             ventrolateral aspects of head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydropsyche simulans

 

 

 

 

Caddisflies of Ohio

Key to Species of Hydropsyche Nymphs

Modified from Schuster & Etnier, 1978
[Home], [Back to Caddis Nymph Families]