A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Trichoptera
bizzare small insect, body appears to be covered by tiny pebbles, lives in cold freshwater, has only been identified down to order, anything more specific would be appreciated
temperate forest, freshwater
I spotted a few of the insects in the water where they washed clothes. I took one out of the water to photograph it. Last photo is of it in the water.
9 Comments
yes, I meant freshwater, Dan.
Thanks for the info Lars, that makes a lot of sense now. What do you mean sweetwater? Like freshwater?
These are indeed tiny rocks on it's back. Caddisfly larvae collect anything they can find for the construction of their selfmade, camouflaging and covering home. Here's my spotting of a sweetwater specimen: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/618...
I know, eh Frank! Really amazing camouflage!
This is really amazing. I could swear those were tiny rocks on its back!
Thanks rhiannon, you're totally right. I do see some similar looking insects online. I would say the water system they were in was really healthy, so that is a good sign.
a caddis fly of some sort, we get them in Wales in rivers. Usually a sign of a healthy river/stream system.
You're probably right Emma, they look very much like little pebbles moving with the current.
Bizzarre! Good mimicry though! they could pass for pebbles to the sea gulls flying above!