The caddis larva lives in the water and carries out a complete transformation cycle. The insect is in a house of small pebbles and the remains of shells. The larva is used in fishing as a bait and is put on a hook previously extracted from its home.
Description
A characteristic representative of the order of the Coleoptera is caddis. Adults are like moths with a dim color. They are small in size. The front of the wings is covered with hairs. The name of the insect - Trichoptera - comes from the Greek words "wing" and "hair".
Best of all, caddis flies and its larvae develop in close proximity to water. Habitat - surroundings of water bodies. It serves as food for underwater inhabitants and a key link in the food chain. It is found in rivers, reservoirs, streams and lakes.
The life cycle of an insect consists of an egg, a larva, a pupa and a butterfly. In the second stage, it is located most of life. The time interval between pupation of an egg and circulation into an insect is 2 years. Interesting as fish food at every stage. It is more difficult to find a doll, as well as to put it on a hook, so fishermen deal with larvae. This applies to caddis flocks creating a house around themselves, as there are individuals living without it.
By the way, not only caddis is used for fishing - the dragonfly larva also serves as a bait, like the formed insect, but there are some nuances. For example, fish living in the upper layers of water bodies peck on an adult dragonfly, while all the others successfully catch the larva.
Breeding
The female caddis flock spawns directly in the plants. The deepest parts of the pond are preferred, since there is less danger. There are also varieties that breed on land. The caviar has a mucous consistency, and the testes are inside. This is a favorable environment for the development of larvae. As it grows, the shell erodes or is removed from the caddis. The shape of the eggs and their clusters depends on the species. In most cases, this is an oblong or spherical lump of mucus. There are cords that look like bagels or round plates. The eggs are spirally arranged.
Development
The caddis flies larvae molt and grow, simultaneously building up their house in the form of a tube, making it more spacious. After covering the dwelling, the insect carries it along, moving along the bottom. The chest, head and 2-3 legs are exposed outside. In case of danger, the larva hides in a case, like a turtle. The head closes the entrance. Surfacing for breathing is not required: oxygen enters from the water through the abdomen and nourishes the blood. Larvae possess tracheal gills, outgrowths on the abdomen of a bushy type. As a weighting agent, the insect attaches to the house pebbles or shells of small clams (empty or together with the inhabitant).
The complete transformation of the insect is carried out. Pupae and larvae are found at the bottom or in the water, near the shore. As a result, the larva degenerates into an insect whose head is round in shape and its mouth is directed downward. Eyes facet, located on both sides. Top and front no more than 3 dark ocelli, characterized by a rather complex structure. The direction of optical lenses is in different directions. There is an eye on the forehead between the antennae. The insect flies using wings.
Habitat
The movement of these insects into the grass occurs in the middle of summer. Water is better heated by the sun in the shallow water area and there is more amount of available food. The caddis larva will appear on almost every bunch of grass pulled to land. Plants are full of this type of bait. The caddis larva house looks like a case. As a binding material, the insect uses silk, which itself emits. In this process, blades of grass, fallen leaves, garbage, sticks, sand, shell fragments and small pebbles are used. In the dwelling, the insect holds firmly, so it is difficult to get it out of there without damaging it. A caddis flock, whose larva serves as an excellent bait, is eaten by fish with a case. The “dressed” version is more familiar to underwater inhabitants, therefore, peeled individuals, which are much tastier, cause instant excitement. The caddis larva brings in this case a greater catch, and in use it is more effective than a maggot or a worm. Thus, perch, roach, pike, bream and other species are caught.
Varieties
A cadre has several species and its larvae. Their description and lifestyle are somewhat different. So, some individuals live at the bottom, while others float to the water surface (houses are made of light material - grass containing air). Their food is the pulp of algae. This causes a large number of insects in plants.
Allocate predatory species of caddis. They do not weave a cover and are very mobile. Using a thin thread, insects cling to stones and shells at the bottom, resist the flow, equip a network of cobwebs, which looks like a funnel. The food source is mosquito larvae, small crustaceans and mayflies. Such a larva has a strong jaw - this helps to quickly cope with prey. Such individuals are of little interest to fishermen, since their search and storage are difficult. More preferably shitiki - the larvae living in the house. They are assembled by hand. Large number of them in the grass in the summer. Plants for this are examined very carefully - it is not easy to immediately notice the camouflage of the larva.
Production
The larva is easily removed, especially if the fisherman has experience in this matter. In case of danger, the caddis is completely immersed in the casing. The back end of the tube is compressed. On the other hand, the head sticks out. It is carefully taken and pulled to extract the whole body. The insect has jaws and does not look the most pleasant way, but this should not be an obstacle. A knowledgeable fisherman acts confidently and without hesitation. You can be absolutely sure: the caddis finger is not able to bite a finger. The bait is taken out of the shelter, pressing on the walls - the larva remains intact. Naiad (dragonfly larva) is obtained in the same way.
Caddis flies are used as bait at all times of the year. Production methods in winter are different from summer ones. They are more complicated, like procurement methods. Nevertheless, if desired, anything is possible. This tradition came from Karelia, where special preliminary measures for breeding bait were traditionally welcomed. For example, before freezing, a place was chosen on a river or stream, and the bottom was laid with bath brooms and stones holding them. Before the start of fishing, the brooms were delivered, and when the fisherman began to shake them, larvae fell on the ice. By the next time new insects stuck to the products. The broom became a shelter and refuge for the caddis, especially when the object was sprinkled with flour or something edible was fastened (lard, bread).
Bait storage
Serious and experienced fishermen know how to save caddis flies. To do this, use a damp cloth, a box of plastic, and also use strips of wet foam. Outside the house, individuals quickly die. Long-term storage is possible when the bait is laid out in a row and tightly wrapped so that the insect does not leave the home.
At a cool temperature, caddis will live another month. To make the larva mobile before fishing, use a cloth bag placed in water. On polyethylene, the assembled houses are laid in one layer at a small distance from each other, otherwise damage may occur during thawing. A second layer is placed on top and placed in a freezer.
Acting carefully and scrupulously, the fishermen provide themselves with the bait for the next fishing trip: they cut off the right amount with scissors, and put the rest into a box. Thawing occurs on the way to the pond, so it is subsequently easily mounted on the tip of the hook. Previously, the larva is released from the house, if it can be done. Otherwise, the cover is broken or pierced with a pin on the back of the insect.
Using
During fishing, the larva is mounted on a hook and a float is used. In conditions of a strong current, the bite is good: the float deviates to the side or quickly goes down and the wait lasts for several moments. The fish swallows the caddis, and then a hook is done and the fishing line is quickly wound.
The target, meanwhile, is trying to sail away into the undergrowth. To prevent it from falling off, the rod is held perpendicular to the shore, directing the catch to the center of the river. The current is added to the strength of the escaping fish, because of which difficulties arise. However, acting decisively, fishermen get a solid catch.
Having tried to use this bait, people are convinced of its effectiveness in comparison with worms and maggots, therefore they are constantly used.