Caddis fly nymphs
“Caddis fly Nymph” sculpture instruction sheet
MATERIALS LIST
DIRECTIONS
Ü Cardboard tube approximately 20cm
in length, (centre tube from Alfoil,
Gladwrap or Paper towel are all ok).
1
l
Using a pair of scissors, cut the cardboard tube as shown below. Repeat this on the
not the other end)
opposite side of the tube (n
2
l
Fold back the cardboard you have cut.
These will make up your “Legs”
Ü 2 plastic shopping bags
www.insectsofalberta.com/caddisfly.htm
A caddis fly nymph is the larvae (teenager) of
the caddisfly – an adult flying insect.
The caddis fly nymph builds a home from
sticks, stones or leaves to protect itself from
predators.
Caddis fly nymphs uses gills to breathe oxygen
from the water. When the water is clean, the
caddis fly nymph can breath healthily and
survive. Water bugs indicate the health of a
watery river or creek.
Ü Some newspaper
Ü String or old pieces of material
Ü Scissors
3
l
Now cut and round off the remaining
end bits; this will make up part of the
protection for the head see below.
Some types of caddis fly nymphs are able to
extract oxygen from slightly polluted water.
They are called ‘tolerant bugs’. Others are
much more sensitive and cannot live in
polluted water. We call them ‘Sensative bugs’.
If we find the sensitive caddis fly nymphs in a
waterway we know the water must be clean
at that time. If we find ONLY tolerant bugs
and NO sensitive bugs we can guess the water
is unclean at that time.
Please turn over for instruction
on how to put your critter together
Caddis fly nymphs
2
“Caddisfly Nymph” sculpture instruction sheet (continued)
4
l
5
l
6
l
This will make up the body of your Caddysfly
With your newspaper, tare up small
bits and roll into round balls, small
enough to fit into the tube. Make about
5 or 6 paper balls.
With one of the plastic bags you will
need to cut into strips, so you can use
as string/ties. You could also us old
pieces of string, wool even pieces of
material cut into strips. Cut out about 5
or 6 pieces around 10 to 15cm long and
about 2cm wide.
Now place one of the paper balls
inside the shopping bag, into the
bottom corner. Now twist the bag
around it then tie it off see below.
Repeat this until you have filled the
bag.
Using scissors
cut the
handles of the
bag so as its
fraid
Knot/tie
off
Tie with string,
wool or pieces
of plastic
7
l
Now that you have all the parts you
need, its time to assemble your
“Caddisfly”.
8
l
Trim the tail so that it is frayed using a
pair of scissors as shown below…now
draw on or glue on some eyes.
9
l
Slide the “body” (plastic bag) into
the tube as shown below.
10
l
Now that your Caddisfly Nymph is
assembled you may like to decorate the
tube (protective casing), either by
drawing and colouring it or you may
like to glue other items onto it as
camouflage i.e. small strips of
newspaper or material, its your choice.
Have fun…
Paper ball inside
plastic shopping bag
Now twist plastic bag
around paper ball
Congratulations enjoy
your new creation