Caddisflies: Trichoptera

Physical characteristics: The larvae of this species measure 0.34 to 0.52 inches (8.5 to 13.0 millimeters) in length. They are brownish yellow in color. The adults have slender brown bodies. The antennae are very long.

Geographic range: This species lives in Europe and western Russia.

Habitat: The larvae are found on plants growing in shallows close to the river bank, usually at depths of 7.87 to 59.05 inches (0.2 to 1.5 meters).

Diet: The larvae eat green plants.

Behavior and reproduction: The larvae build cases with long bits of plant material arranged in a spiral. The cases become narrow at the Shown here are the adult (top) and larvae (bottom) Triaenodes bicolor species. The larvae build cases with long bits of plant material arranged in a spiral. The cases become narrow at the end and measure 0.6 inches (15 millimeters) in length. (Illustration by Wendy Baker. Reproduced by permission.) end and measure 0.6 inches (15 millimeters) in length. Mature larvae remodel their cases just before pupation.

Females lay their eggs in a spiral pattern on aquatic plants.

Triaenodes bicolor and people: This species is a pest in cultivated rice fields.

Conservation status: This species is not considered endangered or threatened. ∎