There is one genus with relatively short antennae (Ceraclea), but it is easily identified by the pair of dark curved lines on the mesonotum.

[2] Leptoceridae larvae have dense swimming hairs and long hindlegs that protrude outside of their case, which enable them to be effective swimmers.

Similarly, male Mystacides fly in vertical zigzag patterns over water and vegetation and grab approaching females.

Male Triaenodes fly in a mixture of both horizontal and vertical zigzagging, where they search for females perched on aquatic plants.

Males of the vertically zigzagging species have larger eyes, enabling them to more easily detect females that approach the swarm.

[7][2] Adult leptocerids are more commonly parasitized than other caddisfly families, possibly due to the unique presence of respiratory slits (serving as an opening) on their bodies.

Aquatic mites of Hydracarina, Aturidae, and Pionidae, and Mermithidae nematodes have been found to parasitize adult Nectopsyche.

[8] These 68 genera belong to the family Leptoceridae (not all listed below): Data sources: i = ITIS,[8] c = Catalogue of Life,[9] g = GBIF,[10] b = Bugguide.net[11]