Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae of Gunnison County, ColoradoHelicopsyche borealis
Snailcase Caddis, Cinnamon caddis, Speckled peter caddis(Hagen, 1861)
Updated 15 February 2026
TSN 117020
Description
One of the easiest caddisflies to identify as a larvae because it lives in a case made of sand or fine gravel shaped like a snail shell. The larvae out of its case has a distinctive comb-shaped anal claw.
Good Links
Other Websites:
Photos, Map, Taxon Identifier Numbers - from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility Helicopsyche borealis at GBIF
Photos, Map, Museums, DNA - Barcode of Life Data System
Illustration - University of Alberta Entomology Collection Species page
Has description, habitat information, range and more.
Photos - from discoverlife.org
Photos, Map, Museum specimens, DNA - Barcodinglife.org
References
Berger,J and Kaster,J 1979 Convergent evolution between phyla: a test case of mimicry between caddisfly larvae (Helicopsyche borealis) and aquatic snails (Physa integra). Evolution 33: 511-513 Abstract and first page
Bergey,EA and Ward,JV 1989 Upstream-downstream movements of aquatic invertebrates in a Rocky Mountain stream, Hydrobiologia, Volume 185( 1) 71-82. Abstract
Helicopsyche borealis and Hesperophylax occidentalis were the only species to show a net upstream movement during the course of this study.
Bishop,JE and Hynes,HB 1969 Downstream drift of invertebrate fauna in a stream ecosystem. Arch. Hydrobiol. 66: 56-90.
Dodds,GS and Hisaw,FL 1925 Ecological studies on aquatic insects. III. Adaptations of caddisfly larvae to swift streams. Ecology 6(2)123-137. Abstract and first page
Hagen,HA 1861 Synopsis of the Neuroptera of North America with a list of South American species. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 4, 1-344.
Original description as Notidobia borealis. Hagen's Glossary (pdf)
Hagen,HA 1866 Description of a genus of caddis-flies, of which the larvae construct cases known as Helicopsyche. The Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 2:252-255.
Hagen moves the species Notidobia borealis to a different genus, Helicopsyche.
Hamilton,SW and Holzenthal,RW 1984 The caddisfly genus Helicopsyche in America, north of Mexico (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) (abstract). Pages 167 in Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Trichoptera (J. C. Morse, ed.) Dr. W. Junk, The Hague.
Havird,JC; Shah,AA and Chicco,AJ 2020 Powerhouses in the cold: mitochondrial function during thermal acclimation in montane mayflies. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 375(1790), p.20190181. PDF
Abstract: "Mitochondria provide the vast majority of cellular energy available to eukaryotes. Therefore, adjustments in mitochondrial function through genetic changes in mitochondrial or nuclear-encoded genes might underlie environmental adaptation. Environmentally induced plasticity in mitochondrial function is also common, especially in response to thermal acclimation in aquatic systems. Here, we examined mitochondrial function in mayfly larvae (Baetis and Drunella spp.) from high and low elevation mountain streams during thermal acclimation to ecologically relevant temperatures. A multi-substrate titration protocol was used to evaluate different respiratory states in isolated mitochondria, along with cytochrome oxidase and citrate synthase activities. In general, maximal mitochondrial respiratory capacity and oxidative phosphorylation coupling efficiency decreased during acclimation to higher temperatures, suggesting montane insects may be especially vulnerable to rapid climate change. Consistent with predictions of the climate variability hypothesis, mitochondria from Baetis collected at a low elevation site with highly variable daily and seasonal temperatures exhibited greater thermal tolerance than Baetis from a high elevation site with comparatively stable temperatures. However, mitochondrial phenotypes were more resilient than whole-organism phenotypes in the face of thermal stress. These results highlight the complex relationships between mitochondrial and organismal genotypes, phenotypes and environmental adaptation."
Herrmann,SJ; Ruiter,DE and Unzicker,JD 1986 Distribution and records of Colorado Trichoptera. Southwestern Naturalist 31 4, 421-457.
They note the habitat for this species is streams and rivers, the altitudinal range is 1494 to 3109m and adult collection dates are 28 Feburary to 7 September.
Quote from page 427: "This species is more common in Colorado than previously reported." They list this species as present in Gunnison county.
Hinchliffe,R and Palmer,AR 2010 Curious chiral cases of caddisfly larvae: handed behavior, asymmetric forms, evolutionary history. Integrative and comparative biology, 50(4) 606-618. HTML
Holzenthal,RW; Blahnik,RJ; Prather,AL and Kjer,KM 2007 Order Trichoptera Kirby, 1813 (Insecta), Caddisflies. Zootaxa, 1668: 639-698. PDF
Illustration of H. borealis case on page 655.
Jackson,JK and Resh,VH 1992. Variation in genetic structure among populations of the caddisfly Helicopsyche borealis from three streams in northern California, U.S.A. Freshwater Biology 27:29-42. Abstract
Johanson,KA 1998) Phylogenetic and biogeographi analysis of the family Helicopsychidae (Insecta: Trichoptera). Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement (53) 1-172.
Lamberti,GA; Feminella,JW and Resh,VH 1987 Herbivory and intraspecific competition in a stream caddisfly population Oecologia 73 (1) 75 - 81 DOI: 10.1007/BF00376980 Abstract
Lamberti,GA and Resh,VH 1983 Stream periphyton and insect herbivores: an experimental study of grazing by a caddisfly population. Ecology, 1124-1135.
Abstract: " The effects of grazing by the herbivorous caddisfly Helicopsyche borealis on benthic algae and bacteria were experimentally studied in a northern California stream, Big Sulphur Creek. By elevating artificial substrate tiles above the stream bottom, larvae of Helicopsyche, but not other herbivorous insects, were effectively excluded. In three replicate experiments, grazing by Helicopsyche resulted in low amounts of algae (as chlorophyll a, 0.3-1.4 µg/cm2) and bacteria (0.3-0.7 X 108 cells/cm2) but a high algal turnover rate (O2 evolved per unit chlorophyll a = 34 µg · µg-1 · h-1). When larvae were excluded, higher amounts of algae (as chlorophyll a, 8.1-15.1 µg/cm2) and bacteria (1.9-4.8 X 108 cells/cm2) were present, but the algal turnover rate (O2 evolved per unit chlorophyll a = 7 µg · µg-1 · h-1) was lower. In a second set of field experiments, the effects of periphyton on the density and spatial distribution of grazers were assessed by varying the standing crop of periphyton. Nearest-neighbor analysis indicated that Helicopsyche larvae were aggregated on periphyton with higher standing crop than that which was present as background levels on surrounding substrate. Such larvae became randomly distributed after their grazing reduced the experimentally enhanced periphyton to the background levels. Helicopsyche's grazing resulted in a diatom-dominated algal community with a low standing crop that, because of a high turnover rate, was able to support a high biomass of consumers. This high rate of production probably occurred because competition for light and nutrients was less severe in the grazed than in the ungrazed periphyton. "
Mecom,JO 1972b Productivity and distribution of Trichoptera larvae in a Colorado mountain stream. Hydrobiologia 40(2): 151-176.
Abstract: "From June 1968 to late May, 1969 collections of more than 20,600 immature Trichoptera were made from the St. Vrain River of Colorado. Agapetus sp., Arctopsyche grandis, Brachycentrus americanus, Ecclisomyia maculosa, Hydropsyche sp., Hydropsyche occidentalis, Helicopsyche borealis, Leptocella [now named Nectopsyche] sp., Neothremma alicia, Rhyacophila acropedes, and Sortosa [now named Dolophilodes] sp. were taken at eight sites ranging from 1565 to 3200 m in altitude. The Trichoptera of the St. Vrain exhibited a distinct altitudinal zonation with Zone I (1565 m) dominated by Leptocella, Hydropsyche sp., and Helicopsyche borealis; Zone II (1750 to 2350 m) was dominated by Brachycentrus americanus and Hydropsyche occidentalis; Zone III (2350 m) was considered a transitional area. In Zone IV (2650 m) and Zone V (2950 to 3250 m ) Neothremma alicia and Arctopsyche grandis were the most successful genera, respectively. Temperature is proposed as the major variable controlling attitudinal zonation.
Standing crop productivity of Trichoptera was determined from timed collections and expressed as population density (number of organisms collected per 30 minutes) and organic biomass (dry organic matter represented by organisms collected per 30 minutes). Intermediate altitudes (2300 m) exhibited the lowest productivity but greatest species diversity. Highest productivity occurred below 1600 m but organic biomass was surprisingly high above 2900 m. Changes in productivity in relation to altitude are discussed in relation to temperature, food availability, severe flooding, and other variables. Productivity on a yearly basis was found to be greatest in spring and at minimum levels during autumn and early winter. The holometabolous life cycle of Trichoptera, temperature, and current seem to be the major governing factors of seasonal productivity."
Merrill,D 1969 The distribution of case recognition in ten families of caddis larvae (Trichoptera). Animal Behavior 17(3)486-493.
Moody,EK; Corman,JR and Bogan,MT 2016 Caught between a rock and a hard mineral encrustation: long-lived aquatic insects accumulate calcium carbonate deposits in a montane desert stream. Western North American Naturalist, 76(2), 172-179. PDF
Resh,VH; Lamberti,GA and Wood,JR 1984 Biology of the caddisfly Helicopsyche borealis (Hagen): a comparison of North American populations. Freshwater Invertebrate Biology, (4)172-180 Abstract and first page
Vaughn,CC 1985 Life History of Helicopsyche borealis (Hagen) (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) in Oklahoma. American Midland Naturalist, 113(1) 76-83. Abstract and first page
Abstract: "The life history of Helicopsyche borealis was compared for 13 months in two Oklahoma streams that have different thermal regimes. Densities of H. borealis were usually higher in the thermally constant stream. The species was multivoltine with overlapping generations in the thermally constant stream and univoltine in the thermally fluctuating stream."
Vaughn,CC 1987 Substratum preference of the caddisfly Helicopsyche borealis (Hagen) (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) Hydrobiologia 154(1) 201-205. DOI: 10.1007/BF00026840 Abstract
Vorhies,CT 1908 Studies on the Trichoptera of Wisconsin. PhD Thesis. 1909 Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters 16: 647-738. PDF
Wichard,W and Pankowski,MV 2024 A new species of helicopsychid caddisfly (Insecta, Trichoptera) in Baltic amber, based on a male with remarkable androconial head organs. Palaeodiversity, 17(1), pp.1-8. PDF
Abstract: "A new helicopsychid caddisfly, Palaeohelicopsyche marki sp. nov., is described from Eocene Baltic amber. The extinct genus Palaeohelicopsyche is now represented by three species alongside the genus Helicopsyche, with five extinct species in Baltic amber. The male of the new species is notable for its androconial head organs in the form of paired eversible tubes, a feature rarely found in males of fossil helicopsychids and apparently unknown in extant species. The structure and function of these remarkable male organs are discussed."
Williams,DD, Tavares,AF and Bryant,E 1987 Respiratory device or camouflage? A case for the caddisfly. Oikos 50(1): 42-52. PDF
Abstract:"Two hypotheses exist as to the function of the tubular cases constructed from silk and debris by caddisfly (Trichoptera) larvae. One proposes that they provide protection for the larvae by camouflaging them against their background or by providing resistance to the jaws of predators. The other proposes that the case acts as an aid to respiration as, by undulating its abdomen, the larva can create a flow of water through the case and over its gills. We measured, in respirometer chambers at 13°C, the uptake of dissolved oxygen by larvae of 22 species of caddisfly representing a variety of habitat types and phylogenetic lines. Oxygen uptake by larvae in their cases was compared with that of larvae without cases and the species fell into three basic groups: in Group A, representing seven families, the cases appeared to confer a respiratory advantage upon the larvae through reduced levels of oxygen uptake and moderation of respiration rates (i.e., by optimizing rather than maximizing oxygen consumption); in Group B, representing two families, the cases appeared to be a disadvantage to respiration (larvae in their cases consumed more oxygen than they did in the absence of their cases); and in Group C, representing the largest family, the Limnephilidae, for most of the species tested the cases appeared to confer no respiratory advantage (no differences between the amounts of oxygen consumed by larvae in their cases and alone). Given the many uses to which silk has been put in the Trichoptera, it seems reasonable to suppose that construction of a tubular case does not dictate a single function across all case-building species. Our data point to a respiratory function in some species but to a non-respiratory function (probably protection from predators) in others, particularly in the Limnephilidae."
Williams,DD; Read,AT and Moore,KA 1983. The biology and zoogeography of Helicopsyche borealis (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae): a Nearctic representative of a tropical genus. Canadian Journal Zoology 61: 2288-2299.
Zuellig,RE; Heinold,BD; Kondratieff,BC and Ruiter,DE 2012 Diversity and Distribution of Mayflies (Ephemeroptera), Stoneflies (Plecoptera), and Caddisflies (Trichoptera) of the South Platte River Basin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, 1873-2010. U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 606, 257 p. PDF - caution 46MB
Quote from page 66: "This is one of the most widely distributed caddisflies species in the SPRB. It is apparently extremely tolerant of thermal extremes occurring in warm springs to coldwater mountain streams. It seems to be most abundant in warmer conditions with the highest elevation collections occurring in warm springs. This species may have been historically more common in SPRB in Colorado at plains locations near the mountain plains interface." The elevation range is 4,850-10,200 feet and the adults emerge from June-August.
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