Name: Common Net Spinner Caddisflies (Family Hydropsychidae)

Order: Trichoptera - Caddisflies

Natural History: If you spend much time around streams, you may have noticed what appear to be spider webs on the stream bottom between rocks and woody debris.  These "webs" aren't built by spiders, but rather by free living caddisflies commonly known as the net spinners. Their nets are oriented into the stream current, and are used to strain the water for food, which consists of both plant and animal material.

The net spinners are often very abundant in Potomac streams, and they are somewhat tolerant of organic pollution.

Pollution tolerance: Moderate (5 out of 10)

Location: Skaggs Run, Hardy County

When collected: January 2005