Hesperophylax occidentalis

Hesperophylax occidentalis is native to western North America, where it lives in a variety of aquatic habitats; especially streams, springs, permanent ponds, and high-elevation water bodies. In studies of high altitude and permanence gradient wetlands (e.g., Colorado), this species has been recorded in both flowing water and "flow-through" permanent ponds — including spring outflow drainages of lakes. Because it belongs to the Limnephilidae family ("northern case-makers"), it tolerates a range of lotic (stream) and lentic (pond, spring) habitats, often in cooler or montane regions.

H. occidentalis has a univoltine life history: one generation per year.

Eggs are deposited (oviposited) beneath submerged rocks. Larvae build portable cases (a common trait in Limnephilidae), using materials such as small rocks, sand, or plant remains, and carry these cases around for protection. Pupal stage: the larval case is typically affixed to stones during pupation. Adults (the winged caddisfly) emerge after pupation and disperse; as with many caddisflies, adults resemble moths but have hairy, not scaly, wings.