Net-Spinning Caddisflies
ExploreInsects
Net-Spinning Caddisflies
hydropsychidae
Net-Spinning Caddisflies are tiny insects that create amazing silk nets in water to catch food. They are like little underwater builders, making cozy homes for themselves!
Habitat: Freshwater streams, rivers, and ponds.
Appearance
The Net-Spinning Caddisflies are typically drab, moth-like insects, usually brown, gray, or black, with long, slender antennae. Their four delicate wings are covered in fine hairs and held in a roof-like fashion over their body when at rest. They possess large compound eyes that are often dark.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderTrichopteraFamilyHydropsychidae
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Net-spinning caddisfly larvae are incredible underwater engineers, weaving intricate silken nets!
Scientists often study caddisfly larvae to learn how healthy a river or stream is!
Their delicate adult wings are covered in tiny hairs, not scales like butterflies!
Their silk nets are incredibly strong, even in fast-flowing river currents, catching tiny bits of food!
Special abilities
Ability
Silk Weaver
Net-Spinning Caddisflies larvae can produce strong silk because of specialized glands, which helps them build complex underwater structures.
Ability
Underwater Engineer
Net-Spinning Caddisflies larvae can construct intricate silk nets that help them filter food particles from flowing water currents.
Ability
Aquatic Respiration
Net-Spinning Caddisflies larvae have feathery gills that help them breathe underwater, absorbing oxygen from the water.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 15-40 mm
- Size
- 8-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-365 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Larvae filter tiny bits of food from flowing water, while adults may not eat much at all!
Age differences: Larvae actively feed as filter-feeders; adults typically feed little or not at all, sometimes on nectar or water.
Primary Foods
- Detritus
- Algae
- Diatoms
- Small invertebrates
- Bacteria
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eaten by
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
Larvae are a major food source for many fish.
eaten by
White-throated Dipper
Cinclus cinclus
This bird dives underwater to catch caddisfly larvae.
eats
Green Algae
Spirogyra porticalis
Larvae filter-feed on these tiny plants in the water.
eats
Diatoms
Gomphonema parvulum
Microscopic single-celled algae filtered from the water.
depends on
Canadian Waterweed
Elodea canadensis
Provides attachment points for larval nets and shelter.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Silk-Worm InsectWater Moth
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Net-Spinning Caddisflies's wingspan?
15-40 mm
How big is Net-Spinning Caddisflies?
8-25 mm
How long does Net-Spinning Caddisflies live?
30-365 days
What does Net-Spinning Caddisflies eat?
Larvae filter tiny bits of food from flowing water, while adults may not eat much at all!
Where is Net-Spinning Caddisflies usually found?
Freshwater streams, rivers, and ponds.
How does Net-Spinning Caddisflies hunt?
Filter Feeding
How many legs does Net-Spinning Caddisflies have?
6
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