Life cycles, microdistribution, and food of two species of caddisflies (Trichoptera) in a wooded stream in Southern Ontario

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Abstract
Accounts of life histories, microdistributions, and food of Rhyacophila minor and Wormaldia moesta (Trichoptera) inhabiting a headwater stream in Ontario are presented. Rhyacophila minor is a caseless predator and W. moesta is a net-spinning filter feeder. First-instar larvae of W. moesta inhabited the stream longer than those of R. minor. The other instars of W. moesta grew rapidly and those of R. minor grew slowly. Pupae of both species showed a tendency to aggregate on bare stones. Both species were univoltine and water temperature is hypothesized to be an important factor regulating growth and voltinism. Wormaldia moesta was patchily and R. minor more uniformaly distributed in the stream. Rhyacophila minor preferred moss-covered stones whereas W. moesta preferred bare stones; however, these preferences changed with season and larval instar and are attributed partially to changing physical conditions in the stream. Although R. minor is primarily carnivorous, the early instars fed extensively on plant material; this behavior is attributed partly to their inability to prey and partly to the abundance of plant-food resources. Wormaldia moesta fed primarily on detritus; it may supplement the diet by grazing on diatoms when the seston is in low supply.