Distribution: Lepidostoma hirtum is widely spread throughout whole Europe and European Russia.

Habitat: The larvae inhabit rivulets, small and greater rivers, the lake littoral and can even be found in brackish water (Botosaneanu & Malicky 1978, Tobias & Tobias 1981, Waringer & Graf 1997, Siebert 1998, Wallace et al. 2003). They are often found among roots or debris of Alnus spp. (Siebert 1998).

Nutrition: Larvae as shredders and scrapers (Graf et al. 2002).

Adults: Adults are on the wing from June to September (Waringer & Graf 1997).