Habitat and Life History of a Northern Caddisfly, Phanocelia canadensis (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae), at the Southern Extreme of its Range

The second documented larval habitat for the northern caddisfly, Phanocelia canadensis (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae), is far south of the center of the species' range in Canada. We collected larvae of this rarely found species from two small, kettle hole wetlands on Cape Cod, MA. The life cycle and behavior are similar to the New Brunswick population studied by Fairchild and Wiggins (1989). Habitat characteristics distinguishing wetlands where P. canadensis occurs include dominance by Sphagnum sp., shrub cover, and low pH. Narrow habitat requirements, summer dormancy, and late adult emergence may limit this species' appearance in collections. Conservation planning and searches for additional populations may be aided by improved understanding of this species' preferred habitat.