Hydroptilidae is a large family of caddisflies (Trichoptera) with a worldwide distribution. They are commonly known as microcaddisflies or purse-case caddisflies, in reference to two characteristic traits of this family: Hydroptilidae are much smaller than other caddisflies, rarely exceeding 5 millimetres (0.20 in) in length. Their larvae do not build a protective case until the final instar of their growth. At that time however, they build a typ...
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Hydroptilidae is a large family of caddisflies (Trichoptera) with a worldwide distribution. They are commonly known as microcaddisflies or purse-case caddisflies, in reference to two characteristic traits of this family: Hydroptilidae are much smaller than other caddisflies, rarely exceeding 5 millimetres (0.20 in) in length. Their larvae do not build a protective case until the final instar of their growth. At that time however, they build a typically purse-shaped case, either portable or stuck to the substrate, in which the larva finishes growth and pupates.
Their systematic placement among the caddisflies is still disputed. They are traditionally placed in the suborder "Spicipalpia", which do not seem to be a natural monophyletic group but rather an evolutionary grade of moderately-advanced caddisflies. Some authors downrank the "Spicipalpia" to a superfamily of the more basal Annulipalpia and call them Rhyacophiloidea (which otherwise refers to a subfamily of suborder Spicipalpia)...
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