Caddisfly Larva - Insects in Disguise!

#insects #caddisfly #amazingnature The amazing insect architects known as caddisflies are the stars of this video. Ever find little tubes made of stones, leaves and twigs? The Caddisfly larva are aquatic and are famous for constructing various homes or cases that they carry around similar a hermit crab and it's shell. Also known as Sedge flies, Rail flies and Case bugs, these animals are a staple food source for many creatures such as fish and many fisherman use them as bait for fishing. The adults are aerial insects the look similar to moths. There is not a river in the world that doesn't have caddisflies living in it, but rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and even vernal pools play host to the caddisfly. Fishermen also love these insects as bait and there are many fly lures designed to look just like them.

[@FakeEgg]

This needs more views

[@chrisegnoto]

Thanks! I agree. I only have 130 views on this video. I think my thumbnail isn't that good. I just couldn't make a better one without purchasing a stock photo or something.

[@TheWildReportOfficial]

Such an interesting video! The underwater shots are FANTASTIC, and so is the information. It's insane that a larval insect has the mental capacity to construct a net and capture prey.

[@chrisegnoto]

Hey man, hope you are doing great and in good health. I agree with that. These insects can build all sorts of homes and some species are really impressive architects. It reminds me of the Debris carrying lacewing larva. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eV6snZV5fMuqnJI

[@psychominded3243]

Watched so many nature programmes in my life, but never heard about this little homebuilder. Thanks for the education!

[@chrisegnoto]

I am very happy to introduce you to another species. The best part is the fact that these are fairly common, once you know what to look for :)

[@psychominded3243]

@@chrisegnoto I don't think we have them here in the UK, sure I would have heard about them otherwise. Such a fascinating little creature. Thanks a lot Chris!

[@jackwood8307]

You just made my day better! To remove my self from the larger world and focus down on the smaller world is a relief! Thanks Chris!

[@chrisegnoto]

You are so welcome, you made my day by saying that! If I had someplace closer to home, I would be out there all the time!

[@genoortiz743]

While visiting Yosemite National Park every summer as a family vacation, we met a fisherman who told us about Caddis Fly worms. In the Merced River thru the valley, he taught us how to find them in the streams, under and around rocks. We used them for fishing bait. In this river, they built their homes mostly with granite pebbles and small sticks. OMG, the greatest trout bait ever. A simple hook with nothing else. Let the hook and worm float on the river top and catch as many trout as you desire. Removing the worm from it's home, it curls up in the shape of a hook which makes it easy to attach to it to the hook. We always had plenty of trout for all of our meals. Thanks for this video, it is the first I have ever seen about these wonderful creatures.

[@jasleav3968]

I have only seen that little beast in a Disney documentary...i heard that if they fall in love they leave their pupae stage and turn into a human...great find! awesome videos as always. thank you Chris

[@chrisegnoto]

It's true, I have heard about that, too. I am happy to know you are familiar with that little beast - lol. Thank you so much for watching, and commenting.

[@alyssia1643]

I am a Virginia Master Naturalist. Vernal pools and ponds are my favorite ecosystems to learn and teach about. I found the Caddisfly larva to be incredibly fascinating! Today, my 6 year old son and I were reading the latest issue (June/July 2022) of Ranger Rick together. It has an article on pond exploration and what insects & invertebrates can be found there. It included a brief mention of the caddisfly larva. Not nearly enough to do these beauties justice, in my opinion!!! So, I looked for more exciting information to share with my son. I found your video to be the perfect mix of facts, entainment, and fun. Well done!!!

[@oatmeal813]

Here in Indiana we have the rarely, if ever, seen Bellenocus Disneyis. The Gastonicmotus tends to favor them for a mate.

[@chrisegnoto]

Ah, they are bright and flashy, yet gental creatures. Your Gastonicmotus must be rather pleased. haha

[@chrisegnoto]

I know my Adamitus is also fond of that species.

[@stevencrunk2844]

Just came from reading Richard Dawkins' 'The Selfish Gene' Where he mentioned the remarkable caddis larvae. Really cool to see them in action. Thanks for the vid!

[@chrisegnoto]

You are quite welcome, glad you liked it. That book sounds pretty cool, thanks

[@Ricca_Day]

Lol! Stonemason larvae! Lol! And the caddisflies are even More 😉 AmaZing!! Ha!

[@chrisegnoto]

Glad you enjoyed, I agree. I hope to have a couple more videos on them, later.

[@Ricca_Day]

Nature Now! - Chris Egnoto Excellent. I'll be looking forward to seeing them🌼

[@garretthigginbotham6122]

Amazing Chris!

[@chrisegnoto]

Glad you think so!

[@Namaste..]

Another cool and informative video. Great macro videography!

[@chrisegnoto]

Thanks, Z! I put a lot of work into filming it, but many of my clips just weren't up to par. I wish I filmed more varieties, but maybe there will be another video in the future.

[@riverbender9898]

Great caddis info ! Thanks Chris

[@chrisegnoto]

Glad you liked it, you are very welcome. Maybe I will find some other species for another video.

[@justpassingthrough9887]

I gathered some rocks from my local river (for my aquariums) that had a few freshly hatched on them. I didn't quarantine them so found them crawling around the substrate. Fascinating little critters. I disposed of them before I learned what they were. NOW I WANT SOME MORE!

[@chrisegnoto]

I understand not wanting to keep them with the fish if you didn't know what they were. Maybe you can find more.

[@allthingswildlifeyt1218]

Very odd little dudes, love them!

[@sapelesteve]

Well done Chris! Like I always say, I really learn a bunch from watching one of your videos. The larval "gills" on those Caddisflies are really amazing. Another video sent off to Carl. BTW, his new book "Becoming Wild" has just become available! Thanks & continue to stay safe.............😉😉👍👍

[@chrisegnoto]

Awesome, thank you! I should order a copy when I can. It would be awesome to have him sign it! But I understand if that is unachievable

[@sapelesteve]

@@chrisegnoto Hi Chris: Call his secretary Mayra at six three one-six seven five-1948 & tell her that your a friend of mine (Steve Leonti). Tell her you want a signed copy of the book. You can pay for the book via credit card or by sending her a check. No worries........👍👍😉😉

[@shirleyallender9284]

I really enjoy your channel very informative. The way you present your self, the facts,the pictures very good. Mr. Shirley

[@chrisegnoto]

So nice of you, thank you so much! Videos have become much more difficult for me to create than they used to be. I feel it might be due to the depth of my videos now, but I also feel it's just something with me. I seem to make nearly everything I film much more complicated than it should be nowadays. I will mention something while not looking at the camera or the angle is terrible, or I am soaked in sweat, and THEN, at home, I need to find a way to show something else on the screen during those clips....so that people don't see how horrible I really look. Or simply get bored with staring at the same cut for 35 seconds, lol. Ugh, I think my mind broke last year. Really, I do. What would take me hours to edit, now takes me DAYS!

[@freechain]

We went to catch tadpoles for my kids. when sorting the catch we noticed these little sticks moving around. so in the tadpole tank they went. i must say. we spend a lot of time watch these guys. dont even look at the tadpoles. truly amazing little guys. you have to love mother nature. cool video. our guys have made their home in a cut off bit of weed. now they have stuck their heads in the ground and silked themselves in place. tried to move them but they are stuck there. everyday we watch them.

[@chrisegnoto]

Great comment. And yeah, their glue seems to be something amazing. We should patent it and get rich, lol.

[@Shawnmassey123]

Good job!

[@chrisegnoto]

Thanks!

[@silverfox9004]

bahahaaa!!! "little beast" xD

[@hownowbrowntrouttasmania7389]

The fish i caught today was so full of these.:)... SUPER WATCH!!!!!!! JUST SUBSCRIBED:)

[@rogercunningham9987]

Thanks Chris 👍

[@chrisegnoto]

You bet

[@DanielMendez-pu3zi]

Lol the beast from beauty and the beast was a funny touch other than that random joke I like this clip

[@chrisegnoto]

lol, thanks Daniel

[@rautermann]

Great content, nice mix of education and weirdness (that beast scene, wtf! xD). Earned my subscription with this video alone!

[@chrisegnoto]

Thank you so much. And yeah, sometimes I throw in something.....different, lol. Thanks for writing!

[@georgecooper6791]

Great video! I like your enthusiasm.

[@thebrowithnoname1703]

Excellent video, my friend. I’m getting into fly fishing and this helped a lot. Thanks.

[@chrisegnoto]

Glad to help

[@natashahuisman8416]

I just discovered these things today! I had to search forever to learn their name, I'd love to go back to the spot I found them and take some home in jars to see what they can build with... what did you put in your jars to make sure they survive?

[@chrisegnoto]

I had to fill the jars with water plants and ensure the oxygen content was good enough, first. I used clean water from the location of the caddisflies. Also, I tried to make sure there were few snails if any. It isn't the easiest thing, so I would start out with maybe one or two with each one having it's own little ecosystem.

[@satchelsnowgw]

Awesome video Chris! Super interesting to hear about all of the different strategies these insect larva have. I’ve been going out to vernal pools and seeing them EVERYWHERE, do you know of any that eat amphibian eggs because I’ve seen them all over the wood frog and spotted salamander egg masses in the pools I’ve been to. Found this from the recent herping video also a great video keep up the great work!

[@CampfireSteveOutdoors]

Your production quality is so worthy of PBS intermission shorts. That said, I learned a lot about something I had only seen on vacations. Really never see them in Tampa bay. But maybe that is due to our mosquito fogging trucks and pollution.

[@chrisegnoto]

Wow, Steve, that is a major compliment!! If only! I always see too many problems with my videos, so I critisize them a little harshly. I am not like that with most vids I watch, but certainly with mine. Trying very hard to grow my channel and it really messes with me. I bet the fogging would seriously bring populations down. Try bringing a small net and scanning a few pools. I bet there would be all sorts of things. You can search all the zones (water bottom and mud, mid zone and surface area. Also, try around and under banks. I do that with students sometimes and we find insane amounts of creatures.

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

Caddisfly larvae are some of my favorite macroinverts to find out in the creeks, they have one of the most ingenious adaptations of any insect I know. I had no idea that they were so ancient though! A Triassic age caddisfly fossil is pretty sweet. Thanks for sharing Chris! - Harrison and Evan

[@chrisegnoto]

Thanks, Bros. I love them. It's pretty cool to find out how long some of these things have been around. Imagine the insane amount of stuff we would find if we lived in some other locations. There is great diversity here, but someplace like Madagascar or Amazon would be absolutely insane.

[@tacocin]

Masters of disguise in the consummate camouflage! Adaptation personified! Great video Chris! I share your enthusiasm!

[@chrisegnoto]

Much appreciated! I am happy that you liked it. It reminds me of my Lacewing larva video.

[@catspaw3815]

Neat!

[@DeclanJMcCabe]

Good stuff! Cover photo is a moth case though

[@chrisegnoto]

LOL!!! You are the only person that caught that. I was so hurting for a decent thumbnail for this video. I made about 5 or 6 thumbs and they all looked wrong when viewed online. So....I eneded up using this photo. It actually bothers me. I wish I had a better photo, tbh. Good eye on you :)

[@DeclanJMcCabe]

@@chrisegnoto I have to be good for something ;) Perhaps I spent too long looking at bugs. Still a nice video though.

[@epizzle9232]

You should make a video on bagworms!

[@chrisegnoto]

Actually, I did recently. It is called "Just What IS A Bagworm?" It isn't long, but it's pretty fun.

[@silverfox9004]

I found a tiny terrestrial version. any idea what it would be?

[@chrisegnoto]

That might be another type of bagworm or caseworm?

[@silverfox9004]

ok thanks 😁

👍👍👍😀

[@annmason1098]

Lovely video! Those gills are amazing and your home experiment super cool! I've been seeing a lot of these nature artists in our local creek too.

[@chrisegnoto]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you. I agree, the gills are pretty incredible.

[@Trileeloo]

Wonderful, informative video. Thank you! Can you please tell me what makes the "tiny sticks projecting from a leaf" structure on the cover photo for this video? I have been finding those all over the place but can't track them down as having been made by a particular caddisfly - or anyone else for that matter. Thank you!

[@chrisegnoto]

I think those might be from the larva leaving the water to molt into winged adults. There are other things that build similar structures too, though. Even some catterpillars.

[@jeffhall6115]

I am thinking that you might be spending too much time in quarantine. You should seek therapy, or just get outside. Lol Great video! Thank you for sharing. Be safe and stay well.

[@chrisegnoto]

Yep. I need me some camping time for sure!! I haven't camped in a year and it's killing me. I also wish the parks around me would open back up.

[@FlyTyer1948]

Except for the annoying figurine, this was really interesting. Thank you.

[@a_person64]

Wow, I'm amazed that some of them can build nets to catch all sorts of debris to use in their homes. I've never seen any before, but hopefully I will one day. Also look at the photobombing Leafhopper at 5:55

[@chrisegnoto]

Yeah, the leaf hoppers were bombing all my shots that night. I really hope I find the net builders some day and get some good footage of them. The vernal pools have a lot of caddisfly larva in them

[@brandonpettipas-elkins658]

Do some frog and salamander videos please!

[@plumbawl5977]

2:57 Absolutely Fascinating Discoveries in Every Episode, Chris!

[@chrisegnoto]

Thank you. That particular discovery proved not to be the Grumpy Gus he is reputed to be

[@GP2141BC]

Curious to know what part to the country ru in

[@chrisegnoto]

I am in Eastern Pennsylvania

[@ElxCnb]

OMG caddis is my real name 😂😂😂

[@chrisegnoto]

Cool name

[@GP2141BC]

You spend a lot of time out doors.... ever see anything weird?

[@SunandanMahant]

photos.app.goo.gl/SEiiFq55XBcmgovX7 I found these structures made up by larvae yesterday, I’m not sure whether these are of caddisfly larvae. Your video is quite informative and I’d appreciate some info on the video I shot.

[@chrisegnoto]

Thank you. Yeah, I think those are them. There are many variations of them. Thanks for watching, Sunandan

[@nancyfahey7518]

You did have me thinking you found a rare specimen. Pretty good acting but don't quit your day job. Hope you're well, being in the epicenter.

[@chrisegnoto]

Lol, thanks. I kind of overdid that, didn't I? Yeah, it's kind of crazy lately but I am concerned everything is going to open back up prematurely.

[@nancyfahey7518]

@@chrisegnoto yes I'm in Florida. They are opening up but I'm staying home.