Arthropoda:Insecta:Trichoptera

Introduction: Insects belonging to Insect order Trichoptera (Caddisflies) are one of the most diverse aquatic insects.The larval forms are exclusively aquatic but the winged adults are terrestrial.The presence of hairy wings and while sitting, these wings are kept folded to form a conical roof or tent like covering over the abdomen is characteristic feature of adults in the field.Adult body size ranges from 1.5 mm to 400 mm and colorations of the body in general varies from dull yellow to grey or from brown to tan and black.Global diversity: About 17,279 extant species of Trichoptera belonging to 632 genera and 65 families have been reported from all over the world. Diversity in India:From India, total of 27 families, 100 genera, and 1435 species are recorded, that are unevenly distributed among the 36 Indian states and territories ((Parey et al. 2024).But as per current data in India, 1,454 species (including 19 sub species) under 105 genera and 27 families have been recorded so far.Threatened species: Species from India are not assessed for IUCN threat categories.Protected Species as per WPA (2022): No Trichoptera species are listed under any schedules of Wildlife Protection Act (2022).