What do caddisfly larvae typically do to survive?

Caddisfly larvae typically survive by constructing tubes or cases from materials found in their environment, such as silk, sand, plant debris, or small pebbles. These structures serve multiple purposes: they provide protection from predators, help the larvae maintain position in fast-flowing water, and offer a microhabitat that aids in breathing and feeding.

The construction of these protective cases is notable because it illustrates the larvae's adaptation to their aquatic environment, allowing them to thrive in diverse habitats. This behavior is a critical survival strategy, especially in ecosystems where predation is high or environmental conditions fluctuate, giving them a distinct advantage over more vulnerable species.

Other survival methods that might come to mind, like crawling on land or swimming rapidly, are not the primary strategies for these larvae. While flying above water isn’t relevant to caddisfly larvae, who spend their developmental stages in water, their unique case-building behavior effectively encapsulates their survival mechanism in aquatic systems.