|
|
Overview |
|
Trichoptera consists of about 7000 species of insects known as "caddisflies" that are found in
freshwater environments. Trichopterans are distinguished from other insects by their
characterisitically hairy wings and long antennae. Some are plant eaters and others are meat
eaters. Like moths, caddisflies are strongly attracted to light. They are ecologically
important because they feed on debris, cleaning out the freshwater systems in which they live.
Also, they are an important food source for fish, and they are often used as bait by fishermen.
-- (Britannica.com)
Click here for Caddisfly checklist in the
Great Smoky Mountains.
|
|
|
Identification |
|
Trichoptera are small to medium sized insects that are similar to moths in appearance.
The wings are membranous, hairy (and sometimes have scales), and are held over the body
in a rooflike fashion when at rest. The antennae are long and slender. Only a few
trichopterans are brightly colored; most have dull coloration. -- (Borror et al., 1989)
|
|
|
Phylogeny |
| Taxonomic Category
| Scientific Name
| Common Name
|
| Phylum
| Arthropoda
| Arthropods
|
| Class
| Insecta
| Insects
|
| Order
| Trichoptera
| Caddisfly
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs |
| 
| 
| 
|
| Trichopteran "Arctopsyche" Copyright
Skip Hodges.
| Trichopteran "Helicopsyche" cases Copyright
Skip Hodges.
| Species: Limnephilus lunatus Copyright
The Virtual Field Guide.
| Species: Limnephilus lunatus Copyright
The Virtual Field Guide.
|
|
|
|
Geographic distribution |
|
Caddisflies are worldwide in distribution and, like most insects, they are concentrated in warm rather than cold areas.
|
|
|
Natural history |
|
Caddisfly larvae are very similar to caterpillars in appearance. Their abdominal segments bear
gills, making caddisflies aquatic insects. The larvae occur in ponds, lakes, stream, and other
bodies of water. Some are case makers, others build nets when submerged, and a some are free-living.
Case making larvae use silk to fuse together leaves, twigs, sand, and pebbles to make cases in
which they live. They feed on plants. Net making larvae spend most of their time near underwater
silk nets and feed off materials that are trapped in the nets. The free-living larvae are predaceous.
The larvae fasten their cases to objects in the water when they have completed their growth and
pupate in the cases. The fully developed pupa chews its way out of the case, emerges from the water,
and crawls onto some object like a rock or stick. Then it developes into an adult.
Adult caddislflies are generally weak fliers. The eggs are laid in masses or strings of several
hundred, and whether laid in or near the water, the female usually attaches them to some sort of
object like a stone. The young hatch within a few days of deposition. Interestingly, caddisflies
spend most of their lives as larvae, maturing primarily in order to reproduce. Larvae take about
a year to develop into adults, but the adults only live about a month.
Caddisflies are ecologically important mainly because they occupy a special niche in the food
chain. They are preyed upon by fish and other aquatic organisms. -- (Borror et al., 1989)
|
|
|
How to encounter |
|
Caddisflies are usually found near water. Check near ponds and streams, and even the underside
of bridges. Sweeping in vegetation in these areas is a good way to collect them. Lights are
probably the best way to collect them, and blue lights seem to be more attractive than other
colors. -- (Borror et al., 1989)
|
|
|
Links to other sites |
|
Caddisflies are usually found near water. Check near ponds and streams, and even the underside
of bridges. Sweeping in vegetation in these areas is a good way to collect them. Lights are
probably the best way to collect them, and blue lights seem to be more attractive than other
colors. -- (Borror et al., 1989)
|
|
|
References |
- Borror, Donald J., Norman F. Johnson, and Charles A. Triplehorn. An Introduction to the Study of
Insects. Philadelphia: Saunders College Publishing. 1989. 6th ed.
|
|
|
Acknowledgements |
|
Stephen Boyd, Scentific Illustration Major, University of Georgia, Athens.
Thanks to Sabina Gupta, Denise Lim, and Dr. John Pickering for technical and web support in developing this page.
Special Thanks to: The Virtual Field Guide, Skip Hodges, Clemson University, and David Walker.
|
|
|
