Caddisflies
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.
