Adult caddisflies are medium-sized, moth-like insects having long, slender antennae. The adult of most species probably do not eat. The larvae of caddisflies live in streams and ponds and may be herbivores, scavengers, or predators. Most of the predatory species are free-living or spin silken webs to entrap their prey, which often other insects. The scavengers and herbivores live within protective "cases" which they build from their own silk combined with sand, stones, twigs, leaf fragments, or other natural materials. The word caddis means case. The shape, structure and materials used in each particular species of caddisfly can be diagnostic for identification. The adults are found near the streams, ponds, or lakes in which the larvae live and can be found all seasons of the year in Florida. The caddisfly pictured above emerges as an adult in the fall. The amber wings with dark spots provide excellent camouflage mimicking a dead leaf. At some times during the year, caddisflies are attracted to lights in large numbers. (Photograph by Andy Rasmussen)
Caddisflies: Pycnopsyche antica (Walker) (Family: Trichoptera)
Habitat: spring-fed, woodland streams
Florida range: Northern Florida
Larval microhabitat: larvae crawl around the stream bottom within a portable case constructed of leaves, bark or twigs
Flight: Adults of this species are nocturnal and are present in the Fall and Winter
Occurrence: found mainly in unpolluted streams within intact broadleaf forest
Additional information: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent425/compendium/caddis~1.html