The life histories and trophic relationships of the Trichoptera of Marion Lake, British Columbia

Abstract

Life histories and trophic relationships of Trichoptera were studied in a small British Columbia lake. Larvae of 10 caddis species were primarily sediment feeders, 2 were leaf feeders, 3 carnivores, and 1 Banksiola crotchi, an algal feeder in early instars and predaceous in later ones. The final instar larvae of potentially competitive species tended to be separated in time. Caddis larvae were an important component of the diet of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), species being preyed upon sequentially as their later instars appeared in the lake. Larvae were also important as prey of the salamander Taricha granulosa but were less significant in the diets of kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and a second salamander Ambystoma gracile.