A Monographic Revision and Synopsis of the Trichoptera of the European Fauna

Abstract

MOST persons have seen those curious aquatic insects called caddis-worms, which live at the bottom of the water, protected by tubular cases formed of bits of stick, stones, sand, or shells, and are much used as bait by anglers; being, as Izaak Walton remarked, “a choice bait for the chub or chavender, or indeed for any great fish.” It is also generally known that these caddis-worms are the larvæ or grubs of winged insects, known as caddis-flies or water-moths, which abound in the vicinity of rivers or ponds and often fly into houses attracted by the light; but few persons except entomologists are aware that there are nearly a hundred and fifty different species in the British Isles, while between four and five hundred are known from various parts of Europe—that they constitute a distinct order of insects, named “Trichoptera,” from their hairy wings—and that they possess peculiarities of structure of the greatest interest as serving to connect, however imperfectly, such distinct and highly specialised orders, as the Hymenoptera and the Lepidoptera.

A Monographic Revision and Synopsis of the Trichoptera of the European Fauna.

By Robert McLachlan., &c. (London: Van Voorst, 1874–1880.)