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The
Diversity of The World of Life
True
Insects (Insecta)
Caddisflies & Caddisworms
(Trichoptera)
Representatives
Caddisflies
Caddisworms
Biology
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF KNOWN SPECIES WORLDWIDE
5,000
DESCRIPTION
Caddisflies are small- to medium-sized, slender, moth-like insects.
The antennae are long and threadlike.
The mouthparts are sponging. Two
pairs of wings are usually present: They are membranous but covered
with long, fine hair (and not net-veined); and they are held roof-like over the body at rest.
METAMORPHOSIS
Caddisworms, the larvae of caddisflies, look like
caterpillars, although because they are aquatic, caddisworms usually
have gills visible on the abdomen.
Many caddisworms secrete a glue or silk with which they assemble
sticks, pebbles, and other streambed debris into small, camouflaging, species-specific shelters,
in which they hide and move about (often backwards).
The pupa usually develops in the case and then crawls out
of the water, before molting into the adult.
HABITATS
The adults "flit" around, flying usually at night
(often to lights), and hide during the day, in cool, dark locations.
The eggs are usually laid in or near the water in which the larvae
develop.
FOODS
Most of the larvae feed on aquatic plant matter (Some even
make silk nets with which they catch food particles drifting by) but some caddisworms
(usually those not living in cases) actively prey on other small aquatic
animals. The adults usually
feed on liquids, presumably such things as flower nectar.
DAMAGES/BENEFITS
Caddisworms and caddisflies are valuable as food for
freshwater fish; some anglers even make "flies" that look like these
insects.
However, predaceous caddisworms sometimes prey on young trout at
hatcheries, particularly if
there are few invertebrates available as food.
True
Insects (Insecta)
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