Cardiocladius (Diptera: Chironomidae) Larvae Ectoparasitic on Pupae of Hydropsychidae (Trichoptera)

Abstract

Larvae of Cardiocladius sp. were found to feed on pupae of several species of Hydropsyche and Cheumatopsyche . The chironomid larvae enter the pupal cases after closure and feed on the immobile caddisflies, often consuming the host. In one collection, over 61% of all hydropsychid pupal cases contained Cardiocladius sp. larvae. This represents a very significant source of mortality for the caddisfly population.