Order Trichoptera
Family Odontoceridae
Genus Psilotreta
Species frontalis
Pronounced - sigh lo tree tah - frun tall iss
Common Name - Dark Blue Sedge, Black Caddis
Size
Hook - 16
Millimeter - 13 to 14.5
Type - Tube case maker
Case Type - Cases are tubular, consisting of small stone, sand, and pebbles.
Adult
Body Color - Black thorax, abdomen, black with a dark gray tint, light gray lateral stripe that appears iridescent green under magnification.
Wing Color - Black.
P. frontalis is probably the closest relitive of P. labida right down to the lobe on their Maxillary palpi, and case building habits.
Like P. labida they display the same hatch, and egg laying flight characteristics. Unlike a lot of other Caddisfly species Psilotreta seem to be attracted to light. I've collected more than a few specimens from the inside of illuminated fly shop display cases.
Key to Family - Ocelli absent. Scutellum is domelike and cointains one large wart. Maxillary palps of male and female are both five segmented, with long thick hair. Legs - small black spines.
Key to Genus - Maxillary palps covered with long thick hair, first two segments short, and thick. Foreleg spurs 2, middle 4, hind 4. Antennae thick, and longer than forewing.
Key to Species - Lobe on second segment of maxillary palps with long brush like hairs. Large lobes on head present. Modified from, C. R. Parker and C. B. Wiggins - 1987 - Revision of the Caddisfly Genus Psilotreta.
Jerry Hadden's Guide Service
Fly fishing float trips for wild trout on the Upper Delaware River.
607-221-4282
