Length 7 to 10 mm. The adult is about 6 to 9 mm long and has matt looking black wings which have a characteristic fold at the distal extremity, making the rear of the wing look very angular when viewed fom above. They are called 'longhorn' because of their antennae which are threadlike and extremely long, approximately twice the length of the body. The males have distinctly larger eyes than the females and have distinctive large and hairy maxillary palps used in mating.

Mystacides azurea - blue tinged wings

Streams, rivers, canals and lakes.

May to September.

Caddis flies don't feed as adults and the labial palps (the 'jaws') are modified to act as sensory organs.

Local but widespread in Britain

Not particularly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.