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Life Stage Characteristics

 

Lepidoptera - Family (Pyralidae)

Moth (Aquatic)

 Larva

§         Pair of un-jointed fleshy prolegs tipped with tiny hooks (crochets) on abdominal segments (3, 4, 5, 6, and 10)

§        Antennae are shorter than body

§        May not have gills as in illustration

§        Instars: 4-5

Pupa

§         Legs and antennae are fused to body

§         Antennae are shorter than body

§         Pupa develops underwater in silken cocoon

 

Adult

§         Wings are covered with scales

§         Fore wings less than 15 mm. long, sometimes reduced

§         Hind wings finely patterned

§         Mouth siphon well developed and coiled

Moths include (5) aquatic (or semi-aquatic) families.

Life stage illustrations are of pyralid moths, the only fully aquatic family, as the others are semi-aquatic.

Created: 01/24/2006   Last modified: 08/25/2006    www.FlyfishingEntomology.com