Caddisfly

About the Caddisfly

Their aquatic larvae build protective cases from sand, twigs, and pebbles, cementing them together with silk. Jewelers in France raise caddisfly larvae in tanks with gold, pearls, and precious stones - the larvae incorporate them into their cases, creating living jewelry. Over 14,500 species. They are crucial indicators of water quality. They are a vital food source for trout and other fish. Fly fishermen imitate them with artificial flies. Their cases are species-specific in design. They are closely related to butterflies and moths. Fossil caddisflies date back 250 million years.