What Is It?

• At the bottom of a stream, I make my stand …
• … in a castle built from leaves, pebbles, and sand.
• Water that’s clean is really quite grand.
• But as an adult, I prefer land.

Caddisfly Larva

Caddisfly babies, or larvae, live underwater. Many species build tube-shaped homes out of leaves, pebbles, or sand. The home offers camouflage, protects the baby’s squishy belly, and adds weight so the little insect isn’t swept away by swift currents. Caddisflies need clean water to survive. Finding them is a clue that a stream is healthy. Near the end of their lives, caddisflies transform into air-breathing,

moth-like adults.