A Preliminary Systematic Study of the North American Larvae of the Caddisfly Family Phryganeidae (Trichoptera)

Twenty-six species of the caddisfly family Phryganeidae are known to occur in a wide variety of aquatic habitats over the northern and montane areas of North America. Larvae are described for 13 of these species, including 5 not previously known. Using data on habitat and various aspects of behavior, along with new structural characters, progress is made in giving broader biological significance to the generic groupings. A key to seven of the eight North American genera is provided, along with keys to the known larvae of the genera Agrypnia and Banksiola. The general distribution of each species treated is summarized.