76 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



As a rule, however, they are quiet, peaceful 

 folk, and do not interfere with their neighbours, 

 though they vary in their ways just as other 

 folk do ; there is even a Caddis living in the 

 streams of North America that spreads a 

 snare to catch its dinner very much as a spider 

 does. The cunning insect weaves a large, 

 strong net round the edge of its tube and 

 supports it at each side with a few little twigs 

 to keep it well spread out. All sorts of tiny 

 water creatures come floating down the stream 

 and are caught in this clever fishing-net, and 

 so fall victims to the wily Caddis, which lurks 

 with its head at the end of its tube ready to 

 seize its prey. 



When a Caddis is about to change to a 

 pupa it first retires within its case and care- 

 fully closes both ends with a loosely woven 

 cap of silk, as it does not wish to be dis- 

 turbed by prying creatures while it is taking 

 its rest. Sometimes a Caddis strengthens the 

 cap with a few small stones or other odds 

 and ends ; but it is always careful to arrange 

 matters so that a stream of water can flow 

 through the case, for although the pupa does 

 not eat, it still continues to breathe. 



As soon as the Caddis has safely shut itself 



