What is the scientific name for a caddisfly?
Caddisfly. 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…
What are caddisflies used for?
Written By: Caddisfly, (order Trichoptera), any of a group of mothlike insects that are attracted to lights at night and live near lakes or rivers. Because fish feed on the immature, aquatic stages and trout take flying adults, caddisflies are often used as models for the artificial flies used in fishing.
What is the habitat of a caddisfly?
Caddisflies are aquatic insects associated with a wide range of freshwater habitats. Oxygen concentration, associated with water velocity, is important to their larvae, as is the chemical content of the water.
Do caddisfly larvae freeze in the winter?
Most caddisfly larvae overwinter as larvae, having very little growth during this time. Some larvae, however, do not freeze when the water surrounding them does; others overwinter eggs inside the gelatinous matrix, which provides protection.
Are caddisflies good for the environment?
Like mayflies, stoneflies and dragonflies, but to a somewhat lesser extent, caddisflies are an indicator of good water quality; they die out of streams with polluted waters. They are an important part of the food web, both larvae and adults being eaten by many fish.
How do caddisfly larvae obtain oxygen?
Some species with large mouthparts shred leaves of terrestrial plants fallen into the water. Caddisfly larvae obtain oxygen dissolved in water through thin and soft skin. Some species have branched gills or humps on the sides of the body (in order to increase the body surface).