Distinguishing characteristics - The most obvious feature of the Squaregills are their square shaped operculate gills on abdominal segment two. The inner edges of these gills meet or almost meet medially (Fig. B). They have a robust thorax with the notum fused between fore wing pads for at least half length of pads (Fig. C). They do not have long setae on fore legs (Fig. D).
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Tolerance Value - 7
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Feeding Group - Collector
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Notes - When looking at Caenidae larvae, they may appear similar to the family Tricorythidae. The difference between the two is Caenidae have square or rectangle operculate gills, where as the Tricorythidae have triangular wing pads that do not meet. Caenidae are generally sprawlers but there is one species that climbs. All are collectors (either filterers, gatherers or scrapers). In the Caenidae family there are 26 species. The size of the Small Squaregills at maturity is 2-8 mm excluding tails.
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