Order Trichoptera have membranous wings and long antennae.They are attracted to blue lights, which are frequently used to collect them.Order Trichoptera undergo complete metamorphosis.The larvae resemble caterpillars and are aquatic.The larvae either create nets or cases underwater.They feed off of prey trapped in the nets or cases.Cases or nets use twigs, pebbles, leaves, sand, and other small bio matter.The materials are glued together with a special silk.The cases or nets are then cemented to an underwater object, like a river rock.If the larvae do not use cases or nets, they are predaceous.The larvae with cases pupate inside their case for a few weeks to a few months and emerge fully developed.The larval stage usually lasts for about a year and the adults will live for about a month.Caddisflies are found in the fossil record as far back as the Triassic.
