The Beautiful Northern Caddisfly can be found near freshwater ponds, streams and lakes. Look at foliage, twigs, and tree bark. They are common on Vancouver Island and can be seen all summer long around our waterways
Caddisfly is an insect of the order Trichoptera, with four hairy wings usually held back roof-like over the abdomen, long antennae, and chewing mouthparts.
The aquatic larvae, or caddisfly larvae, which somewhat resemble caterpillars, are food for many freshwater fishes. They are called creepers when used as bait. The larvae build and inhabit underwater cases or nets made from a silken threadlike material they produce or from materials such as twigs, sand, and leaves.
Most larvae feed on plants and debris caught in the cases; among the net-building species, some are predacious. Many seal their cases spin cocoons and pupate within. Caddisflies are classified in the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Trichoptera.
There are approximately 12,000 insects within this order. Caddisflies are known by many names, including sedge, shadfly, and periwinkle. Caddisflies belong to one of the most prolific orders in the animal kingdom.