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Life Stage Characteristics
Aquatic Moth (Lepidoptera)

 
Larva
   -   Pair of non-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 does one 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: 08/04/2004   Last modified: 05/21/2010    www.FlyfishingEntomology.com