Caddisflies

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Caddisflies

Order: Trichoptera

Number of species: over 1200

Life Cycle: complete metamorphosis

Four Life Stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult

Larva

Body Description

Abdomen: 9 segments

Thorax: 3 segments

Legs: 6

Worm-like appearance, fragile

Size: 6-22, up to 1 1/2” in length

Most are case builders (case made of bottom debris which protects fragile larvae)

Activity: some are free roaming but move at a slow crawl

Pupa

Body Description

Wings: Distinguished by folding wings in a downward position under the body’s sides

Activity: may capture an air bubble to float to the surface

Adult

Body Description

Antenna: long (2x body)

Wings: tent like wings fold over body

Tails: none

Colors: mottled shades: olives, browns, tans, grays, yellows

Activity: fast & erratic

Hook Size: 6-22, 14-16 most common

There are five groups of caddisflies which are determined by the larva’s behavior: free-living caddis, saddle-case caddis, net-spinning caddis, tube-case caddis, and purse-case caddis.

Caddisflies are typically found in cold, oxygen-rich water such as mountain streams where there are riffles and runs.

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