Caddis Flies/Caddisflies

Limnephilus lunatus Caddis fly Limnephilus lunatus
Limnephilus lunatus Caddis fly 10-15mm long. Half moon on tail.
Limnephilus lunatus Caddis fly Makes larval case from debris (leaves/sand).
Caddis Flies (also Caddisflies), like Moths, are mainly nocturnal and attracted to light. There are some 200 species in the UK alone. Like Stoneflies and Mayflies, their larvae are aquatic.
(Oxford Dictionary spells it "Caddis-flies," but I've not seen that elsewhere, and says the larvae are "Caddis-worms" or just "Caddis.")
Agrypnia varia Caddis fly Agrypnia varia
Agrypnia varia Caddis fly 12-18mm long
Agrypnia varia Caddis fly Tube case makers
The adults have extremely long antennae, often as long as the body, and varied patterns on their wings but usually in drab colours (many are plain).
They are not true flies, having two pairs of wings. Related to Lepidoptera, their wings have hair rather than the scales of Moths/Butterflies. Adults do not usually eat.
Mystacides longicornis Caddis fly Mystacides longicornis
Mystacides longicornis Caddis fly 6-9mm long. Distinctive pattern.
Mystacides longicornis Caddis fly Larval case made of sand grains and small stones.
Caddisfly larvae "construct" cases, tubes or nets of silk, gravel and other materials under water to hide, catch prey or pupate.
Caddis fly
Caddis fly
Caddis fly
Some larvae are predators, some vegetarian. Larvae and adults are an important food source for fish, birds, amphibians and other insects.
Caddis fly
Caddis fly
Caddis fly
The presence of many larvae is also an indication of the cleanliness of a water source.
Caddis fly
Limnephilus sparsus Caddis fly Limnephilus sparsus 10-13mm long.
Mystacides nigra? Caddis fly Mystacides nigra? 7-10mm long.
Caddis fly Another Limnephilus lunatus, posing on Martin.
Mystacides azurea Caddis fly The angular Mystacides azurea, 6-9mm long.
The two photos immediately above were kindly provided by Martin Starnes.
Mystacides azurea Caddis fly Males have large, hairy maxillary palps used in mating as they fly above water in a swarm with vertical zig zag movements (hence US common name Black Dancer for similar species).