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Caddisfly larva

Trichoptera

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

bizzare small insect, body appears to be covered by tiny pebbles, lives in cold freshwater,
has only been identified down to order, anything more specific would be appreciated

Habitat:

temperate forest, freshwater

Notes:

I spotted a few of the insects in the water where they washed clothes. I took one out of the water to photograph it. Last photo is of it in the water.

Reference Links:

Caddisfly

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (9)
LarsKorb
yes, I meant freshwater, Dan.
Dan Doucette
Thanks for the info Lars, that makes a lot of sense now. What do you mean sweetwater? Like freshwater?
LarsKorb
These are indeed tiny rocks on it's back. Caddisfly larvae collect anything they can find for the construction of their selfmade, camouflaging and covering home. Here's my spotting of a sweetwater specimen: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6187088
Frank Weaver
This is really amazing. I could swear those were tiny rocks on its back!
Dan Doucette
Thanks rhiannon, you're totally right. I do see some similar looking insects online. I would say the water system they were in was really healthy, so that is a good sign.
rhiannon
a caddis fly of some sort, we get them in Wales in rivers. Usually a sign of a healthy river/stream system.
Dan Doucette
You're probably right Emma, they look very much like little pebbles moving with the current.
HemaShah
Bizzarre! Good mimicry though! they could pass for pebbles to the sea gulls flying above!

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJanuary 31, 2012

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