Caddisflies are closely related to the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). Larvae and pupae of virtually all caddisfly species are aquatic and represent an important component of the insect fauna of freshwater ecosystems. They are an important source of food for game fish. Some caddisfly larvae are free-living, while many species build elaborate cases, tubes, nets and other structures. Caddisflies inhabit a broad range of habitats, although the more primitive forms tend to be restricted to cold, fast-flowing streams. Caddisflies are excellent indicators of water quality. Adults are terrestrial and moth-like, and generally crepuscular in habit. Many larvae have never been associated with adults; consequently, many larvae cannot be identified to species.
Maine has a very rich caddisfly fauna. The most recent estimate (reflecting the multiple sources in the MABP database) is that 342 caddisfly species are currently known from the state, belonging to 21 families and 81 genera. Maine’s species list represents about one quarter of the North American total of over 1400 species.
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