|Introduction
|Identification Key
|Order Trichoptera|
Net-spinning Caddisfly Larvae
- Larvae measure up to 3/4 inch in length.
- Three pairs of legs.
- Body is caterpillar-like and strongly curved.
- Antennae reduced and inconspicuous.
- Color varies from bright green to dark brown.
- Gill tufts on on lower half of body.
- 3 hard plates on dorsal thorax (adjacent to legs).
- Brush of hairs at tip of prolegs (found at the posterior end of the
abdomen).
- Net-spinning caddisfly larvae are widespread and may be abundant in
poor quality streams.
- As their name suggests, netspinners construct a silken mesh net
which they use to filter organic particles from the water column.