ORDER Trichoptera

Pronunciation: Tr-kop'-ter-a

Common name(s): caddisflies

Mouthparts: chewing - have large palpi, non-functioning in some adults

Wings: 2 pr. held peaked - roof-like over body at rest. Have heavy covering of hairs (not scales) of mottled colors (may be confused as moths)

Metamorphosis: holometabolous, larvae aquatic and build cases

Body characteristics:

adult - hairy wings, held in inverted V over body - mottled colors;

larvae - cases of larvae using substrate materials like stones or vegetation (twigs, leaves), a few use only silk.

Where found: adults weak flyers near water; larvae aquatic

Economic impact: important in aquatic food chain as food for fish

Size of order: 5000 species (1200 in N. America)

• Gordon's Entomological Homepage
• University of Arizona Tree of Life Page (Very Interesting Site!)