This Georgia insect looks like a pile of pebbles. Have you seen it?
We’re bugging out about this Georgia insect.
A Caddisfly’s larva, at first glance, looks like a bunch of tiny rocks — but don’t step on these little insects. They are highly useful to Georgia biologists.
According to the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, Caddisflies live in freshwater areas where there is slow-moving current and while their appearance is misleading, having them around is a great advantage because they clean the water by consuming debris and aid in biological monitoring.
“Biological monitoring is the process of assessing both water quality and habitat based on the presence of macroinvertebrates, or aquatic insects, crustaceans and mollusks that derive their oxygen from the water. These insects and crustaceans are impacted by stressors that occur in a stream environment, both man-made and naturally occurring, thus helping biologists determine stream ecosystem health,” the Division wrote.
Fun fact: Caddisflies can also spin silk underwater to protect themselves from predators.
Caddisflies have an exposed abdomen, but once it spins silk, it creates a case for itself. The Caddisfly can then use empty shells, sand and rocks to catch and create armor, hence its pebbly appearance.
The insects are harmless. Since they have no mouth, there’s no chance of being bitten.
Have you recently spotted one of these insects? Comment below or e-mail us some photos.
