Caddisfly ( Adult )

Description:

Order: Trichoptera - The caddisflies, are an order, Trichoptera, of insects with approximately 12,000 described species. Also called, sedge-flies or rail-flies, they are small, moth-like insects, having two pairs of hairy, membranous wings. Caddisflies, have aquatic larvae, and are found in a wide variety of habitats, such as: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, spring seeps and temporary waters ( vernal pools ). The larvae of many species, use silk to make protective cases of gravel, sand, twigs, or other debris. Caddisflies, can be divided into three behavirol groups, based on there use of silk: net-making caddisflies, case-making caddisflies, and free-living caddisflies. The adult stage of caddisflies, in most cases, is very short, usually only 1 - 2 weeks, but sometimes last for two months. Most adults are non-feeding, and are equipped mainly to mate. Once mated, the female caddisfly, will often lay eggs ( enclosed in a gelatimous mass ), by attaching them above or below the water surface. Eggs hatch in as little as three weeks. The caddisfly, is known by many names, including: sedge, shadfly, and periwinkle. Adult caddisflies are terrestrial, while the larvae are aquatic, and can be found in lakes, rivers, streams, and other freshwater sources. Adult caddisflies, are similar in appearance to moths. They have minimized mouthparts, and well developed compound eyes. Caddisfly larvae are aquatic, while the adults are terrestrial, and visit water only to lay there eggs. Caddisflies, make shells or casings, for there pupal stage. There are approximately, 1,200 types of caddisflies, in North America alone. Caddisflies, have two pairs of wings. Like many other insects, the complete lifecycle of the caddisfly, is comprised of four stages. Egg, larval, pupal, and adult. The caddisfly eggs, are a bright green color. Caddisflies, are attracted to lights at night, and live near lakes or rivers. Adult caddisflies, are commonly 3 to 15 millimeters in length. There anterior wings, usually range from 4 to 20 millimeters in length, providing wing spans of 8 to 40 millimeters. The wings at rest, are folded roof like, and cover the top of the body. Caddisfly wings, either are covered with hairs, or have hairs on the veins. The posterior wings, are often broader than the anterior wings. Most adult caddisflies, are incapable of feeding on solids, and instead, imbibe nectar from flowers. The antennae, are long and slender, and are usually about the length of the anterior wing, but they may be longer than the wingspan. Filiform antennae. The color of this insect, was different shades of brown. It had two antennae, and two compound eyes. It had white legs. It had four wings. They are small, moth-like insects. There wings at rest, are folded rooflike, and cover the top of there body. There antennae, are long and slender. This insect is alive, and is able to move and fly.

Habitat:

I saw this brown insect, resting on a concrete wall, on the outside of my house. Caddisflies, are widely distributed in freshwater habitats, throughout the world. Caddisflies, have aquatic larvae, and are found in a wide variety of habitats, such as: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, spring seeps and temporary waters ( vernal pools ). Adult caddisflies are terrestrial, while the larvae are aquatic, and can be found in lakes, rivers, streams, and other freshwater sources.

Notes:

I went outside at 5:30 a.m. in the morning. I saw this brown insect, resting on a concrete wall, on the outside of my house. The color of this insect, was different shades of brown. It had two antennae, and two compound eyes. It had white legs. It had four wings. They are small, moth-like insects. There wings at rest, are folded rooflike, and cover the top of there body. There antennae, are long and slender. This insect was alive, and able to move and fly.