Caddisflies

Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Sensitive Benthos

Moderately Tolerant Benthos

Pollution Tolerant Benthos

Case-building caddisfly pupae

Metamorphosis:

complete (see our life cycle page for more information)

Larvae:

worm-like, soft bodies; head contains a hard covering; color can vary from yellow or brown, but usually green; larvae are known for their construction of hollow cases that they either carry with them or attach to rocks; cases are built from sand, twigs, small stones, crushed shells, rolled leaves, and bark pieces; cases used for protection and pupation: length up to 1 inch.

Reproduction:

eggs are encased in a gelatinous mass and are attached to submerged vegetation or logs.

Adults:

moth-like, brownish and usually nocturnal; wings thickly covered with hairs.

Food:

larvae feed on algae, small bits of plant material, and animals; some species build nets where they catch drifting food; fed upon by several species of fish.

Indicator Role:

Caddisflies represent a large range of pollution tolerance.

Net-spinning Caddisfly larvae

Information Source:

McDonald, B., W. Borden, J. Lathrop.1990. Citizen Stream Monitoring: A Manual for Illinois. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, ILENR/RE-WR-90/18. Springfield, Illinois.

Please visit our pages on Caddisfly Families.

Other Links:

Adult caddisfly

Representatives of Caddisfly Families (Trichoptera) - New York Department of Environmental Conservation
Trichoptera (caddisflies) - Aquatic Insect Interactive Verification Program - Chironomidae Research Group Univeristy of Minnesota
The McKenzie Page caddisflies
Entomology: A Guide to the Freshwater Food Sources of British Columbia's Game Fish - caddisflies
Caddisflies in Freshwater Benthic Ecology and Aquatic Entomology Homepage – S.M. Mandaville from the Soil & Water Conservation Society of MetroHalifax
Tree of Life - Trichoptera

For more pictures, see our photo library on caddisflies.

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