Length 17 to 23 mm. A fairly large caddis with orangey brown wings that have a speckled pattering in the forks between the veins forming distinctive pale streaks. It is quite similar to H. digitatus, but the patterning does not form such distinctive pale streaks in that species (see ID Aids below).

Halesus radiatus can only be confused with its near cousin Halesus digitatus but the broken patches between the veins on the forewing separate radiatus from digitatus which has more or less continuous streaks.

Around streams,rivers, and lakes.

On the wing from August to November.

It breeds in running water and the larvae build cases from sand grains. The adults may drink but are not known to feed. The larvae, on the other hand, are omnivorous and will take both small aquatic animals and plant material.

Frequent and widespread throughout Britain.

Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.