caddisfly nymphs

Caddisflies nymphs

5733  Found these at a lake in northern Saskatchewan. Wondering if they’re biting us!!   Jackson

These are immatures (nymphs/naiads) of caddisflies (order Trichoptera). Case-building species such as your examples are either scavengers, feeding primarily on bits of decomposing organic matter, or herbivores, feeding on tender aquatic vegetation. They would not be biting you. See http://tinyurl.com/haaftbn for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.