Caddisflies are found on all continents except Antarctica. Most species have relatively small ranges, and many are found only in one or a few countries. There are more than 11,000 species worldwide, with about 1,400 species known in the United States and Canada.
Adult caddisflies are slender, mothlike insects that are usually drab in color, although some species are very brightly marked. They measure 0.048 to 1.76 inches (1.2 to 40 millimeters) in length. Both compound and simple eyes are present. Compound eyes have multiple lenses; simple eyes have only one. The chewing mouthparts are made up of long, fingerlike appendages on either side of very small ja…
Most caddisfly larvae and pupae (PYU-pee), the life stage between larva and adult, are found in freshwater, but there are a few species that live on land or in the sea. The larvae of freshwater species usually live in cold clean flowing waters, but some species prefer warmer slower waters. They are very particular about water temperature and speed, dissolved minerals and pollutants, as well as the…
All caddisfly larvae spin silk to make nets to capture food floating in the water or build protective shelters. Shelters may be silken bags or made with small pebbles, sand, or plant materials attached together with silk to form a case. The materials used and the shape of the case vary with each species. The larvae can be categorized into five groups based on their case-building behavior. Free-liv…
Some South American native peoples use larval cases as earrings and as beads for necklaces. Beginning in the 1980s, the visual artist Hubert Duprat utilized caddisflies to create unique sculptural forms. He first removed larvae from their natural habitat, and then he provided the larvae with different colored pebbles, sand, or ground up seashells or glass materials. The caddisflies used these mate…
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 …
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