Caddisfly larvae
Trichoptera · Aquatic life
Whole animal · Photo: Paul Prior / CC BY
Also called Caddis worms, Periwinkles, Case makers, Sedges (adults)
How to identify Caddisfly larvae
- Soft, caterpillarlike larva with a hard head and six legs near the front
- Many build portable cases of sticks, leaves, sand or snail shells
- A pair of hooks at the tail end
- Adults look like small moths with wings held tent shaped over the back
Similar species
Moth larvae that mine water plants can look similar but usually make cases from cut leaf pieces. Midge larvae are much thinner and lack legs on the thorax.
Profile
| Season | Larvae present most of the year; adults emerge spring through fall. |
|---|---|
| Starts | Emergence starts as water warms past about 50 F |
| Depth | Bottom and plant beds |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Adults fly and lay eggs in or near water |
| Habitat | Plant beds and bottom debris in ponds and lakes, and rocks in streams and canals. |
Why it matters in a lake
Valuable fish food and recyclers of dead plant material. Many species need clean, well oxygenated water, so they are useful water quality indicators.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Trichoptera |
| Scientific name | Trichoptera |
Midge larvae (bloodworms)
Mosquito larvae
Dragonfly nymphs
Damselfly nymphs
Water boatmen
Backswimmers
Predaceous diving beetles
Water striders
Mayfly nymphs
Giant water bugsNeed a hand?
Found it in your lake?
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Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596