AuthorWallace, I.D, Wallace, B. & Phillipson, G.N.
Year1990
TitleA Key to the Case-bearing Caddis Larvae of Britain and Ireland
ISBN0 900386 49 5
SeriesFBA Scientific Publication
TypeBook/Report
How CompleteCovers all case-bearing UK species whose larvae were known at the time, although early instars not covered, and some groups cannot be distinguished in until last instar.
SourceFBA Scientific Publication, No. 51, 237pp, Freshwater Biological Association
Illustrationsline drawings accompany the text
Review (by Malcolm Storey)

The main body of the work is the dichotomous keys.

Each family begins with a short account, including any particular difficulties associated with its identification. A table of ranges of head widths is given for all the species in each instar.

Instar I is not covered, but the remaining instars (II-V usually) are keyed (usually). Different instars of a species may key out in different places. Habitat and distribution notes and sometimes warnings about variation, additional confirmatory characters and/or a description of the case, are given for each species.

Larvae of almost all species are at an identifiable stage between March and May. Pupal cases are also often identifiable.

Note: now replaced by the 2003 edition.

Errata, Corrigenda & CommentsA completely blank page is left before some (but not all) families, eg 41, 207, 226. This seems to be correct.
Examine Stereo Microscope ( Compound Microscope is also useful)
Specimen Preparation

Narcotised in soda water (or in a dry tube with CO2 gas) or killed (preferably after narcotisation), fixed and preserved in 70-80% IMS (alcohol). Both larva and case are needed. Specimens over 10 years old, even if kept in darkness, may be discoloured and hard to identify.

Carefully remove larva from case. Gently pushing the larva back into its tube first usually unhooks the anal proleg claws.

Identification difficultyNeeds care. Gills can be very hard to see in spirit specimens. Eyepiece graticule required to measure head capsule etc.

Notes & PurposeStatusTaxonEnglishClassification
For identificationSupersededTRICHOPTERAcaddis flies, caddisfliesAnimalia
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