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Trichoptera

Common name:

Caddisflies

Distribution:

Every continent except Antarctica and with the greater diversity in warmer regions

Habitat:

Freshwater habitat, larvae being found in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and other water bodies.

Diet:

Most larvae feed on aquatic plants, algae, diatoms, or plant debris. A few eat other aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Most adult caddisflies do not feed and some sip nectar from flowers.

Number of species globally

14,500

Number of species in Hong Kong :

60

Morphology
(how to recognize them) :

-Dark in color
-Long and slender antennae
-Body and wings covered with fine hair
-Do not have siphoning mouthparts

Diagram

Did you know ?

Caddisflies larvae are good indicators of water quality because they only survive in very clean water. The larvae also build nests that are constructed with materials bonded by silk. The choice of material and shape of their nests vary with species.

Gallery

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