A caddisfly lifecycle is similar to other aquatic insects lifecycle with both a nymph stage and adult stage with wings.  Here is an overview along with a simple diagram of this aquatic bug’s lifecycle.

I’ve been so caught up in bugs lately because, along with birds, they are one of the animals that are everywhere and are easy to see.  There are lots of aquatic insects, such as mayflies, dragonflies, and caddisflies that live part of their life in or under water.  I think these bugs are so crazy, imagine living underwater and breathing water when you were young.  Then later you have wings and are flying through the air.

Caddisflies Undergo Metamorphosis

As a quick reminder, all bugs/insects undergo metamorphosis during their lifetime.  Basically, this means when they are born they are a nymph or larvae.  Then over time they grow and change their form to take on their adult shape.

Sometimes the metamorphosis could simply mean getting larger, but other times it may mean changing from a caterpillar to a butterfly.  Or in the case of a caddisfly it means changing from a nymph that lives underwater to an adult with wings that flies.

Caddisfly Lifecycle

Egg – An egg is laid on the surface of the water and sinks to the bottom.

Larva – The egg hatches and becomes a larva that lives in water for one to two years.  Caddisfly larvae are unique because they will build a case around their soft bodies to protect them.  The case is made up of pebbles, sand or plant matter.

Pupa – The larvae turn into pupae.  This is the final stage before becoming an adult.

Adult – After a couple of weeks, the pupa swims up to the surface of the water where it sheds its pupal form and emerges as an adult fly.  The adult lives for a couple of days up to a month along the stream before mating.  The female lays eggs on the surface of water after mating.