Diplectroninae Hydropsychinae Macronematinae Smicrideinae The Hydropsychidae are a family-level taxon consisting of net-spinning caddisflies.

[1] Larvae of the hydropsychids construct nets at the open ends of their dwellings which are responsible for their "net-spinning caddisfly" common name.

Different genera spin nets of different mesh sizes and shapes depending on what food type they are targeting.

This feature combined with branched gills running along ventral surface of their abdomens differentiate the hydropsychids from all other trichopterans.

[4] The hydropsychids have large anal prolegs equipped with hooks, allowing them to grasp the side of rocks in river and stream beds.

Due to hydropsychid's presence in a wide range of freshwater environments worldwide and their very specific standards of living, hydropychid's are favored as an indicator species.

[5][6] Some genera, sensitive to certain contaminants or pollutants, suffer declines in growth and/or survival, while others thrive in their absence.

Others species like the C. morosa (bifida form) and Hydropsyche betteni can withstand high levels of organic pollution and thrive in those conditions.The habitat range for this family encompasses a huge area in total and can found in most freshwater areas with running water worldwide.