Bug and Insect Illustration (Illustrator): Caddisfly Larva Illustrated:
Caddisfly Larva (Trichoptera), colored pencil
Commissioned by: Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesAbout caddisfly larvae:
Caddisfly larvae make protective cases using stones, twigs, leaves and other materials. They are about 20mm in length. They have three pair of legs on the each of the first three segments. On the fourth segment, they have appendages with hooks which are used to hold the cases. They eat algae, plants, and sometimes insects. They are aquatic, living in freshwater. According to Wikipedia, "Many species of caddisfly larvae enter a stage of inactivity called diapause for weeks or months after they mature but prior to emergence. Their emergence is then triggered by cooling water temperatures in the fall, effectively synchronizing the adult activity to make mate-finding easier." (Wikipedia: Trichoptera) The pupa stage takes place within the case. The pupa chews through the case, swims out of the water, and once upon land, develops into an adult.
More about caddisfly larvae:
Tree of Life: Caddisflies
Buglopedia: Caddisfly Larva
North Carolina State University: Department of EntomologyAlso see:
Keywords related to art on this page: caddisfly larva illustrator, picture, art, artwork, artist, image, larvae, invertebrate, invertebrates, bug, bugs, insect, insects, caddis, fly, flies, pictures
