Caddis larva: description, habitat and reproduction

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

The caddis larva lives in water and carries out a full cycle of transformation. The insect is in a house of small pebbles and the remains of shells. The larva is used in fishing as bait and put on a hook, previously removed from its home.

Description

The caddisfly is a characteristic representative of the superorder Covered-winged. Adults resemble night butterflies with a soft color. They are small in size. The anterior part of the wings is covered with hairs. The name of the insect - Trichoptera - comes from the Greek words for "wing" and "hair".

The caddisfly and its larvae develop best in close proximity to water. Habitat - the vicinity of water bodies. Serves as food for underwater inhabitants and a key link in the food chain. It is found in rivers, reservoirs, streams and lakes.

The life cycle of an insect consists of an egg, larva, pupa and butterfly. In the second stage, it is most of life. The time interval between pupation of the egg and turning into an insect is 2 years. Interesting as fish food at every stage. It is more difficult to find a pupa, as well as to put it on a hook, so fishermen deal with larvae. This applies to caddisflies, creating a house around them,because there are individuals who live without it.

By the way, not only caddis flies are used for fishing - the dragonfly larva also serves as bait, like the formed insect, but there are some nuances. For example, fish that live in the upper layers of water bodies peck at an adult dragonfly, while all the rest are successfully caught on a larva.

Reproduction

The female caddis flies lay their eggs directly in the plants. The deep parts of the reservoir are preferred, since there is less danger. There are also varieties that breed on land. Caviar has a slimy consistency, and the testicles are inside. This is a favorable environment for the development of larvae. As it grows, the shell is eroded or removed from the caddis. The shape of the eggs and their clusters depends on the species. In most cases, this is an oblong or spherical lump of mucus. There are cords that look like bagels or round plates. The eggs are spirally arranged.

Development

The caddis larva molts and grows, along the way completing the construction of its house in the form of a tube, making it more spacious. After sheathing the dwelling, the insect carries it along, moving along the bottom. The chest, head and 2-3 legs are exposed outside. In case of danger, the larva hides in a case, like a turtle. The head is blocking the entrance. Ascent for breathing is not required: oxygen comes from the water through the abdominal cover and nourishes the blood. The larvae have tracheal gills, outgrowths on the abdomen of a bushy type. As a weighting agent, the insect attaches pebbles or shells of small mollusks to the house(empty or together with the inhabitant).

The complete transformation of the insect is taking place. Pupae and larvae are at the bottom or in the water, near the shore. As a result, the larva is reborn into an insect, the head of which is round in shape, and the mouth is directed downwards. The eyes are compound, located on both sides. Above and in front there are no more than 3 dark eyes, which are distinguished by a rather complex structure. The direction of the optical lenses is in different directions. There is an eye on the forehead between the antennae. The insect flies using its wings.

Habitat

The movement of these insects into the grass occurs in the middle of summer. The water is better heated by the sun in the shallow water zone and there is more food available. A caddisfly larva will be on almost every bunch of grass pulled out onto land. Plants are full of this type of bait. The house of the caddis larva looks like a cover. As a binding material, the insect uses silk, which it itself secretes. This process uses blades of grass, fallen leaves, debris, sticks, sand, shell fragments and small pebbles. In the dwelling, the insect is held firmly, so it is difficult to get it out of there without damaging it. Caddisfly, whose larva serves as an excellent bait, is eaten by fish along with the cover. It is the “dressed” version that is more familiar to underwater inhabitants, therefore the cleaned individuals, which are much tastier, cause an instant stir. In this case, the caddisfly larva brings a larger catch, and in use it is more effective than a maggot or a worm. Perch, roach, pike, bream and other species are caught this way.

Varieties

Caddisfly and its larvae have several species. Their description and way of life are somewhat different. So, some individuals live at the bottom, while others float to the water surface (the houses are made of light material - grass containing air). Their food is the pulp of algae. This causes a large number of insects in plants.

The predatory caddis species are distinguished. They do not weave a cover and are very mobile. With the help of a thin thread, insects cling to stones and shells at the bottom, resist the current, and build a network of cobwebs that looks like a funnel. Food source - mosquito larvae, small crustaceans and mayflies. Such a larva has a strong jaw - this helps to quickly cope with prey. Such individuals are of little interest to fishermen, since their search and storage is difficult. Shitiki are preferable - larvae living in the house. They are assembled by hand. There are a lot of them in the grass in summer. Plants for this are considered very carefully - it is not easy to immediately notice the camouflage of the larva.

Production

The larva is easily removed, especially if the fisherman has experience in this matter. In case of danger, the caddisfly is completely immersed in the shell. The back end of the tube is compressed. On the other side, the head protrudes. It is gently picked up and pulled to extract the entire body. The insect has jaws and does not look the most pleasant, but this should not be an obstacle. A knowledgeable fisherman acts confidently and without hesitation. You can be absolutely sure: finger caddisunable to bite. The bait is taken out of the shelter by pressing on the walls - the larva remains intact. Naiad (dragonfly larva) is harvested in the same way.

Caddis is used as bait in all seasons. The methods of extraction in winter are different from those in summer. They are more complicated, as are harvesting methods. However, if desired, everything is possible. This tradition comes from Karelia, where special preliminary measures for bait breeding were traditionally welcomed. For example, before freezing, a place was chosen on a river or stream, and the bottom was laid with bath brooms and stones holding them. Before the start of fishing, the brooms were taken out, and when the fisherman began to shake them, the larvae fell onto the ice. By the next time, new insects stuck to the products. The broom became a shelter and shelter for the caddisfly, especially when the object was sprinkled with flour or something edible (lard, bread) was attached.

Bait storage

Serious and experienced fishermen know how to save caddis larvae. To do this, use a damp cloth, a plastic box, and also use strips of wet foam rubber. Outside the house, individuals quickly die. Long-term storage is possible when the bait is laid out in a row and tightly wrapped so that the insect does not leave the home.

When the temperature is cool, the caddisfly will live for another month. To make the larva mobile before fishing, use a cloth bag placed in the water. On polyethylene, the assembled houses are laid in one layer at a short distance from each other, otherwise duringdefrosting may be damaged. The second layer is placed on top and placed in the freezer.

Acting carefully and scrupulously, the fishermen provide themselves with bait for the next fishing trip: they cut off the right amount with scissors, and put the rest in a box. On the way to the reservoir, thawing occurs, so subsequently it is easily placed on the tip of the hook. Previously, the larva is released from the house, if it can be done. Otherwise, the cover is broken or pierced with a pin on the back of the insect.

Use

In the process of fishing, the larva is put on a hook and a float is used. In conditions of a strong current, the bite is good: the float deviates to the side or quickly goes down and the wait lasts for several moments. The fish swallows the caddisfly, and then the hook is made and the line is quickly wound.

The target, meanwhile, is trying to swim away into the thicket. So that it does not break, the rod is held perpendicular to the shore, directing the prey to the center of the river. The current is added to the strength of the escaping fish, which causes difficulties. However, by acting decisively, the fishermen are getting a solid catch.

Having tried to use this bait, people are convinced of its effectiveness compared to worms and maggots, so they use it all the time.