Larvae of the genus Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera:Hydropsychidae) are a abundant and probably significant ecological component of freshwater lotic ecosystems worldwide, with many species inhabiting streams with elevated organic pollution. The varying tolerance levels among these species necessitate species-level identification for accurate water-quality assessment. However, past workers have had difficulty separating the Nearctic species in the larval stage. This research presents progress on the goal towards identification of larval Cheumatopsyche. Chaetotaxal and cuticular characters are delimited for 7 larval morphotypes, all of which have been putatively associated with adults. The Nearctic phylogeny of Cheumatopsyche is revised, including 5 species described after 1987. The distribution of larval characters is hypothesized with reference to the phylogeny, including 3 main species groups. Biogeographic relationships for Nearctic areas of endemism are inferred cladistically.