# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Freshwater streams, rivers, and ponds. - **Also known as:** Silk-Worm Insect, Water Moth ![Net-Spinning Caddisflies](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hydropsyche.pellucidula.jpg&width=800) Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydropsyche.pellucidula.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Trichoptera - **Family:** Hydropsychidae ## 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 - **Silk Weaver:** Net-Spinning Caddisflies larvae can produce strong silk because of specialized glands, which helps them build complex underwater structures. - **Underwater Engineer:** Net-Spinning Caddisflies larvae can construct intricate silk nets that help them filter food particles from flowing water currents. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) — Larvae are a major food source for many fish. - **Eaten by:** [White-throated Dipper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Net-Spinning Caddisflies? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Potomac Hills Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/potomac-hills-park) — Virginia, US · Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Net-Spinning Caddisflies: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/net-spinning-caddisflies)