TrichopteraHydropsychidae – Netspinning Caddisflies

Hydropsyche oslari

This record describes Hydropsyche oslari (species). Recorded family: Hydropsychidae. Recorded order: Trichoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Hydropsyche oslari - Hydropsyche oslari
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by v belov

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Trichoptera (Caddisflies)
Suborder
Annulipalpia
Superfamily
Hydropsychoidea
Family
Hydropsychidae (Netspinning Caddisflies)
Subfamily
Hydropsychinae
Genus
Hydropsyche

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Schefter & Wiggins (1940) states " Hydropsxche oslari occurs mostly to the west of the continental divide in the Rocky Mountains and coastal ranges from Baja California northwards into the Yukon, the range extending eastwards into central Alberta and North Dakota."

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Hydropsyche oslari Banks 1905

About Caddisflies: the wider group

Order-level background for Trichoptera, the group containing Hydropsyche oslari. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Trichoptera (caddisflies) includes ~14,500 described species worldwide. Larvae are aquatic and build protective cases from silk, sand, pebbles, and plant material - each species creates a distinctive case design.

Ecological role of the group

Caddisfly larvae are critical food sources for trout and other freshwater fish, making them essential to recreational fishing industries worth billions annually. Their silk is being researched as an underwater adhesive for medical applications.

Economic and practical significance of the group

Caddisfly larvae are among the most important biological indicators of water quality. Their presence or absence in streams is used by the EPA and state agencies to assess pollution levels and ecosystem health.

Recorded sources for this group: EPA, freshwater ecology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

Explore Trichoptera families and species →

Photos of Hydropsyche oslari (5)

Hydropsyche oslari - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by v belov
Hydropsyche oslari - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by v belov
Hydropsyche oslari - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by v belov
Hydropsyche oslari - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by v belov
Hydropsyche oslari - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by v belov

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by v belov

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by v belov. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.