GEORGIA 
Adopt-A-Stream 
 
Volume 7, Number 1, January / February 2000 
Michele Droszcz and Harold Harbert, Editors 
 
Hydropsychidae: The Net Spinning Caddisflies 
 
Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division 
 
By Becky Blasius and Kristen Sanford  EPD Watershed Planning and Monitoring Program 
 
Order: Trichoptera Family: Hydropsychidae 
 
Members of the family Hydropsychidae are commonly known as net spinning caddisflies. Hydropsychid larvae are most commonly known for the intricately spun silk capture nets for straining food out of moving waters. There are approximately 145 species of Hydropsychidae north of Mexico. 
All hydropsychid larvae spin nets as a means of capturing food. The nets consist of silk strands produced by salivary glands that have been modified for this particular purpose. Different genera, however, weave meshes of varying dimensions. This means that each genera specializes their nets in order to capture food particles within a certain size range. Algae, fine organic particles, and small aquatic invertebrates are prey found within these different size nets. 
Life Cycle 
Caddisflies go through a complete metamorphosis, including five larval instars, a pupal stage, and a winged adult stage. Complete metamorphosis takes approximately 3 weeks. When the larva is full grown, it attaches its case to a stationary object in the water and closes the case to pupate. The pupa uses its mandibles to work its way out of the case. It then crawls out of the water onto an object in order to complete its final molt to adulthood. 
 
Places you can find them 
Due to the method of feeding, hydropsychids build their concave nets, facing upstream, in flowing water. In many streams, it is common to find thousands of these nets fastened to rocks and boulders located within the current. They might also be found underneath waterfalls and other cascading waters. 
What their presence indicates about water quality 
According to the EPT Index, freshwater quality is generally considered good if members of the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera orders are found. However, Hydropsychids have evolved to become fairly tolerant to pollution. Therefore, be careful of assessing the quality of your stream. Just because you find hydropsychids does not mean that the stream is free of pollution. 
Fun Facts 
Hydropsychid larvae are able to produce sound by rubbing their femora (femur) across ridges located on the bottom surface of the head. The purpose of producing these sounds might be to repel potential predators, or keep other hydropsychids from constructing nets within its territory. 
 
The order, Trichoptera, generally indicates good water quality, but the Hydropsychidae are fairly tolerant to pollutants. 
 
 Governor Roy Barnes signed this proclamation at a ceremony in Columbus, GA. 
 
 Adopt-A-Stream Calendar of Events 
 
The following are workshops, taught by certified AAS trainers, which provide training in visual, biological and chemical monitoring of streams and wetlands. Please call to register. 
 
What 
Visual/Chemical Biological Visual/Chemical Biological Biological Visual/Chemical Biological Visual/Chemical Biological (same day) Biological 
 
Who 
Augusta AAS Fulton AAS Fulton AAS Ga. Wildlife Federation Fulton AAS Fulton AAS Fulton AAS Augusta AAS Augusta AAS Chattooga AAS 
 
When 
Jan. 15 Jan. 29 Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Feb. 19 March 4 March 11 March 18 March 18 April 22 
 
Where 
Augusta Sandy Springs S. Fulton Newton Co. S. Fulton N. Fulton N. Fulton Augusta Augusta Polk/Floyd Co. 
 
To Register 
706-821-0632 404-730-8006 404-730-8006 770-929-3350 404-730-8006 404-730-8006 404-730-8006 706-828-2109 706-828-2109 706-802-5322 
 
There's more! AAS workshops are conducted throughout the State. Call one of these numbers to learn about upcoming workshops in your region of the State. 
 
Where 
 
Who 
 
To Register 
 
Coastal GA West GA Central GA South GA 
 
Dr. Joe Richardson Dr. Becky Champion Sylbie Yon Dr. David Hedgepeth 
 
912-356-2809 706-687-4090 706-485-9243 912-333-5611 
 
Community Watershed Workshops Begin Their Fourth Year 
 
The Community Watershed Workshops began in 1997 through a joint effort by DeKalb County Department of Parks and Recreation, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and Georgia Adopt-A-Stream. The steering committee has grown to include Peavine Watershed Alliance, City of Atlanta, Fulton County and Gwinnett County and has officially named itself the Community Watershed Network. Along with offering workshops, the Community Watershed Network is preparing a Watershed Owners Manual and will be distributing a video called "Building a Watershed Alliance," which is being developed by the Peavine Watershed Alliance. This year's workshops will be held on March 14, May 9, September 12, and December 5. The workshops provide opportunities for people to meet, share information and obtain resources to start or sustain watershed management activities. If you live in the Metro Atlanta area and are not receiving workshop invitations, call 404-675-1636. 
 
Environmental Education Alliance Conference 
 
This conference will focus on Watersheds and Water Education. It will be held March 3-5 in Gainesville. For registration information call Peter Gordon at 770-535-1976 or go to the website at www.eealliance.org. 
 
The Sixth National Volunteer Monitoring Conference 
Will be held April 27-29 in Austin, Texas. For more information and to pre-register, go to www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/notice.html 
 
Citizen Soil Watch Workshop 
The City of Roswell and Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper are sponsoring a Citizen Soil Watch Workshop on Tuesday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Roswell City Hall Courthouse. To register, call Alice Champagne at 404-352-9828, ext. 16. 
 
 Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Workshops in 2000 
 
To Register Call 404-675-1636 
 
Workshop Title 
 
Brief Description 
 
Getting Started with 
 
This workshop takes you through the steps of 
 
Adopt-A-Stream, Lake 
 
selecting a waterbody, developing a monitoring plan 
 
and Wetland 
 
and registering your project with Georgia Adopt-A- 
 
Stream. Then you'll learn how to use maps and site 
 
visits to assess the quality of the waterbody and its 
 
watershed. 
 
Advanced 
 
If you have been conducting biological monitoring 
 
Macroinvertabrate 
 
and wish to learn more in-depth identification 
 
Identification 
 
methods, this is the workshop for you! 
 
Walking Through A 
 
Learn about wetlands, their functions and values and 
 
Wetland: Wetlands Of 
 
the various types of wetlands in Georgia. Learn how 
 
Georgia 
 
you can monitor and protect wetlands. 
 
Date February 12 April 15 June 17 Sept. 30 
June 3 
May 13 
 
Advanced Chemical Monitoring 
Affective Outreach: Educating others about water quality, watersheds and nonpoint source pollution. Reduce NonPoint Source Pollution In Your Home 
 
The Advanced Chemical Workshop will take place in a private water testing lab. Duncan Cottrell, Lab Manager and AAS trainer, will compare lab methods to the AAS methods for testing water samples. He will discuss Quality Assurance and demonstrate lab procedures to test for fecal Coliform. 
The most important thing you can do as an AAS participant is teach others about water quality, nonpoint source pollution and watersheds. This workshop will provide affective ways to conduct outreach activities. 
We all contribute to nonpoint source pollution. Learn simple ways you can reduce nonpoint source pollution in your home. 
 
Sept. 2 January 26 Feb. 15 March 11 
August (TBA) 
April 11 
 
Time 
9:00 a.m.  1 9:00 a.m.  1 9:00 a.m.  1 9:00 a.m.  1 
 
Location 
Roswell Rockdale County Forsyth County Clayton County 
 
10:00 a.m. - 3 Dahlonega 
 
10:00 a.m.  2 Newman Wetland Center, Clayton Co. 
 
10:00 a.m.  2 
7:30 p.m.  9 1:30 p.m.  9 10 a.m.-11:30 
 
GWF Alcovy River site, Newton County 
City of Canton 
 
9:00 a.m. -12 DeKalb County 
 
6:00 p.m.  8 
 
EPD Tradeport, Water Protection Branch Office 
 
The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Newsletter is published six times per year. For More information about the Georgia Adopt-AStream program or to contribute to the newsletter, call or write to: 
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Environmental Protection Division 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101 Atlanta, GA 30354 (404) 675-1639 
 
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