i5K: Caddisfly

Caddisfly (Limnephilus lunatus)

Caddisfly Image source: Wikimedia Commons Links BCM-HGSC data

Contact: Oliver Niehuis

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Representative of Trichoptera: Limnephilus lunatus is a common species and a typical case-bearing caddisfly. Like almost all Trichoptera, this species has an aquatic larva. The adults are moth-like and can be found in the vicinity of the waters, in which their larvae develop. Many caddisfly species play an important role as bioindicators in limnological studies. The phylogeny and evolution of the caddisfies is, however, still poorly understood. Together with Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), Trichoptera form a well-supported clade within holometabolous insects called Amphiesmenoptera.

Trichoptera are important to understand the evolution of heterogametic females and of the biosynthesis of silk, both features Trichoptera share with Lepidoptera. Trichoptera are further important as outgroup to better understand the evolution of Lepidoptera.