A.  J. Cook, « Caddice-Fly Larvae », Medina (Ontario), Gleanings in Bee Culture, vol. XIX, n° 10, 15 mai 1891, p. 415.

Prof. A. J. Cook : – While out on a ramble to day we sat down by a small creek to rest, and noticed something crawling about in the bottom of 2 to 4 inches of water, that looked like rotten twigs with the bark peeling off. On examination we found larvae in them, and inclose some to you. Please tell us what they are, their habits, and how they like, through Gleanings or by letters, as you wish. Gleanings Typos. (Medina, O., April 26).

(Prof. A. J. Cook  replies 🙂

In the early springtime- April and May- the rambler, whom love of nature causes to lie prone on some bank of brook or pool, and look at the thousand wonders that nature there reveals, will often see a strange twig-like or gravel-formed tube which will seem to move along of its own will. He is likely to conclude that inanimate things may move unless, forsooth he is more curious, when he will find a very animate cause of the motion. This is a worm-like larva, with six strong legs just back of the head, by use of which the insect pulls itself and its strange home along trough the water on the bottom of the stream. The tube which surrounds its aquatic traveler, and which doutless preserves it from hungry fish and tadpoles, is made by the larva. These tubes are fashioned by gluing sticks and stone together. They are usually cylindrical, but they may be made of stones, and be more curious, as they are often the form of a snail-shell. Often silken threads help to hold the pebbles in place.