Chimarra larvae and prepupae

[Mark Melton]

Chimarra larvae are found on the undersides of stones in tubes of netlike silk. When going into pupation they build a rock case and attach it to a large stone.


Larva is 9mm






prepupal case


Case removed from rock

 

[mcswny]

Man, this is really cool.

 

[Matt B]

@Mark Melton What is the diet of the larvae?

 

[Jim F.]

What is the diet of the larvae?

Wet waders' ankles . . .

 

[Mark Melton]

@Mark Melton What is the diet of the larvae?

Whartever algae or other small particulates stick to the netlike tube they live in. In fact their tongue is adapted to this. It forms sort of a T-shape. This can be seen in the second photo from the top. It's the white thing sticking out of it's mouth.

 

[Matt B]

Whartever algae or other small particulates stick to the netlike tube they live in. In fact their tongue is adapted to this. It forms sort of a T-shape. This can be seen in the second photo from the top. It's the white thing sticking out of it's mouth.

Those just seem like awfully formidable mandibles for eating scuzz with your T-shaped tongue.

 

[Mark Melton]

Those just seem like awfully formidable mandibles for eating scuzz with your T-shaped tongue.

They do seem mighty nasty but they are used for constructing the net and defending the net they live in. There are several under each rock and I imagine that competition for space and food can get pretty nasty.

 

[c2peak]

Awesome stuff. Thanks Mark!

 

[Flytyer]

Chimarra larvae are found on the undersides of stones in tubes of netlike silk. When going into pupation they build a rock case and attach it to a large stone.

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Larva is 9mm

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prepupal case

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Case removed from rock

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Unreal !!!!

 

[Irafly]

I assumed when I was younger that all caddis did this.

 

[Billy]

Very cool. What is there life cycle? How much time at each stage?

 

[Mark Melton]

From egg to adult approximately one year. The time from laying the eggs to their hatching I don't know. From hatching of eggs to mature larvae about 8-9 months. About 1-2 months for pupae. The adults are hard to guess how long they live, but usually emerge for about a month.