Habitat and Geography

Where does this organism live?

Mostly aquatic habitats and are common bottom fauna in most freshwater environments such as creeks, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and swamps in western North America (McCafferty 1981).

Photo of most habitats with Brachycentrus occidentalis. Photo from Oliver S. Flint

They live in all types of substrate types but most commonly associate with underwater parts of aquatic vegetation, but have been found on wet terrestrial surfaces adjacent to water but only rarely (McCafferty 1981). Found in the west mainly and also found most commonly during later April and May right around Mother's Day. They are most active in the daylight (Gallelpp 1974). Fish live with the Caddisfly as well as many other pond or river going animals.