Eastern Caddisfly
In North America, the Order Trichoptera includes approximately 12,000 species of caddisflies. A unique genus, known as Ironoquia, thrives in the Eastern United States. Caddisflies of the Genus Ironoquia are often called Eastern caddisflies or Eastern box wing sedges. Several variants also exist, including the giant red sedge and the great brown autumn sedge.
Eastern caddisflies typically appear during late summer or early fall. They inhabit and lay their eggs in bodies of freshwater. Larvae spend most of their lives underwater, feeding on detritus. Like almost all caddisflies, scientists classify the Eastern caddisfly by virtue of its larvae and behavior: the Eastern caddisfly is a case-making type. Its cases are tube-like in structure and are generally lighter than other varieties of caddisflies. Eastern caddisfly larvae carry their cases wherever they go and use them for protection.
Adult Eastern caddisflies measure approximately 10 millimeters in length and live on dry land. When they are ready to breed, Eastern caddisflies lay their eggs in strands upon the surface of a body of water. The eggs then sink to the bottom and hatch into larvae within three weeks.