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 Major Groups | Insecta (insects) | Trichoptera (caddisflies) | Ecnomidae
 

Ecnomidae

Major Group: Insecta
Order: Trichoptera
Family: Ecnomidae

Descriptive Features:

  • head and all thoracic nota sclerotised, in some species mesonotum and metanotum membranous along midline
  • fore trochantin elongate, slender, apically pointed
  • abdominal gills absent 
  • abdominal prolegs strongly developed with large, curved anal claws bearing small teeth on concave margin
  • Total length 5 – 10 mm

    • Taxonomic Checklist: Genera
    Absensomina weara Cartwright (larva unknown)
    Austrotinodes
    Daternomina
    Ecnomina
    Ecnomus
    Neboissomina (larva unknown)
    Wellsomina (larva unknown)

    Distribution: Australia wide

    Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 4. Ecnomus larvae are tolerant of a wide range of water quality including both nutrient enriched (eutrophic) and slightly saline water bodies.

    Functional Feeding Group: predators, gathering collectors

    Ecology: Instream habitat: Ecnomid larvae occur in lentic and slow lotic waters. They are found on or under rocks or logs.
    Feeding ecology: Early instar larvae feed on fine organic particles. Later instars are primarily predators feeding on Chironomidae and Trichoptera larvae, Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotifera. They will also gather fragments of terrestrial insects and a range of algae.
    Habit: Larvae build fixed tubes or loose silken retreats incorporating plant and detritus material.
    Life history: Southern Ecnomus species are bivoltine. Adults are collected from October to March and November to April.
     
     
    Information Sources: Cartwright 1997, 2009, 2010, 2011, Dean et al 2004, Neboiss 2003, Hawking & Smith 1997, Dean & Bunn  1989
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