Caddisfly
Species Information
MyForest [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons
Statistics
Scientific name: Trichoptera
Length:Â 2-28mm
Conservation status
 Species range from common to critically endangered
When to see
January to December
About
 There are 200 species of caddisfly in the UK. Larvae tend to live underwater in cases. The larvae make cases by spinning together stones, sand, leaves and twigs with a silk they secrete from glands around the mouth. The material they use depends on the species that is making the case. Most larvae live in these shelters, which can either be fixed or transportable, though a few species are free-swimming, such as Rhyacophila, and only construct shelters when they’re ready to pupate. Caddisflies are an important food source for all kinds of predators, including Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and birds such as the dipper.
How to identify
Adult caddisflies can be found during the day on vegetation near to the edge of the water or flying in swarms over the water. Adults are moth-like insects with hairy wings which fold back along their body. Caddisfly have a set of fine hairs on their wings, unlike moths which have scales. As adults, individual species can be difficult to identify. Caddisfly larvae, on the other hand are more readily identified, with many having distinctive cases made in variety of shapes and out of differing materials.
Did you know ?
An adult caddisfly does not live very long. The nymphs live underwater for up to two years, but the winged adults only live for a few weeks to a couple of months at most. Â
How you can help?Â
Did you know you can help wildlife in your local river ? You can do this in many ways from reporting pollution to SEPA, by not flushing wet wipes down the toilet and even at one of our many conservation volunteer days. Check out our Get Involved page for more information on how you can get involved with your local river.