The caddisflies, or order Trichoptera, are a group of insects with aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults. There are approximately 14,500 described species, most of which can be divided into the suborders Integripalpia and Annulipalpia on the basis of the adult mouthparts. Integripalpian larvae construct a portable casing to protect themselves as they move around looking for food, while annulipalpian larvae make themselves a fixed retreat in which they remain, waiting for food to come to them. The affinities of the small third suborder Spicipalpia are unclear, and molecular analysis suggests it may not be monophyletic. Also called sedge-flies or rail-flies, the adults are small moth-like insects with two pairs of hairy membranous wings. They are closely related to the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) which have scales on their wings; the two orders together form the superorder Amphiesmenoptera.
The aquatic larvae are found in a wide variety of habitats such as streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, spring seeps and temporary waters (vernal pools), and even the ocean.[1][2][3] The larvae of many species use silk to make protective cases, which are often strengthened with gravel, sand, twigs, bitten-off pieces of plants, or other debris. The larvae exhibit various feeding strategies, with different species being predators, leaf shredders, algal grazers, or collectors of particles from the water column and benthos. Most adults have short lives during which they do not feed.
In fly fishing, artificial flies called dry flies are tied to imitate adults, while larvae and pupae are imitated with artificial flies called wet flies or nymphs. It is also possible to use them as bait, though this is not as common as artificial flies and is known as bait fishing. Common and widespread genera such as Helicopsyche and Hydropsyche are important in the sport, where caddisflies are known as "sedges". Caddisflies are useful as bioindicators, as they are sensitive to water pollution and are large enough to be assessed in the field. In art, the French artist Hubert Duprat has created works by providing caddis larvae with small grains of gold and precious stones for them to build into decorative cases.
^Glenn B. Wiggins, Larvae of the North American Caddisfly General (Trichoptera), 2nd. ed. (Toronto: University Press, 1996), p. 3
interesting caddisfly species in Arizona. Caddisflies and Fly Fishing - Photos, limited species life history descriptions. Adult caddisfly and caddisfly larva...
Hydropsyche tobiasi, or Tobias' caddisfly, is an extinct species of caddisfly which lived on the River Rhine between Mainz and Cologne. It was last seen...
Caddisfly silk is silk that is secreted by the silk glands of the caddisfly (Trichoptera), similar to Lepidoptera silkworms (B. mori). The larvae use...
be closer to the most advanced caddisflies (the tube case caddisflies, Integripalpia) than any other living caddisfly. But this view is almost as disputed...
of caddisflies with about 100 genera. They belong to the main lineage of case-constructing caddisflies, the Integripalpia or tube-case caddisflies. The...
Triaenodes phalacris is an extinct species of species caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. It was endemic to the United States. World Conservation Monitoring...
The Castle Lake Caddisfly Rhyacophila amabilis is an extinct species of insect in the caddisfly family Rhyacophilidae. It was endemic to the United States...
ends of their dwellings which are responsible for their "net-spinning caddisfly" common name. The hydropsychid larval stage, like most Trichoptera larvae...
Bugguide.net Holzenthal & Oliveira Pes (2004). "A new genus of long-horned caddisfly from the Amazon basin (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae: Grumichellini)" (PDF)...
Chilostigma itascae, also known as the headwaters chilostigman, is a species of caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae. It was discovered in mile-long Nicollet Creek...
order Trichoptera, the caddisflies. They are known commonly as the finger-net caddisflies. The aquatic larvae of these caddisflies spin mesh nets of silk...
Pycnopsyche gentilis, the caddisfly, is a species of northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae. It is found in North America. "Pycnopsyche gentilis...
Archaeolepis mane. Its fossil fragments show scaled wings that are similar to caddisflies in their veining. Some moths, particularly their caterpillars, can be...
Ironoquia plattensis, the Platte River caddisfly, is a species of caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae. It is endemic to Nebraska. This species was first...
The Integripalpia are a suborder of Trichoptera, the caddisflies. The name refers to the unringed nature of maxillary palp's terminal segment in the adults...
Macrostemum zebratum, the zebra caddisfly, is a species of netspinning caddisfly in the family Hydropsychidae. It is found in North America. "Macrostemum...
and a characteristic wing venation pattern shared with Trichoptera (caddisflies). Only two more sets of Jurassic lepidopteran fossils have been found...
Chathamiidae is a family of case making caddisflies more commonly known as the marine caddisflies. Chathamiids are unique among insects in their invasion...
(Ancient Greek: Ἀγαπητός, beloved) may refer to: Agapetus (caddisfly), a genus of caddisflies List of Agapetus species Agapetus (deacon) (fl. 500–527),...
Nectopsyche exquisita is a species of long-horned caddisfly in the family Leptoceridae. It is found in North America. "Nectopsyche exquisita Report"....
Global Information
