Plural of caddis; insects whose larvae build protective cases, or the material from which such cases are made.
From 'caddis,' origin uncertain but possibly from the yarn-making trade. Applied to the insects because their cases resemble woven material.
Caddisflies are so important to freshwater ecosystems that trout fishermen use fake 'caddis' lures—the real insects can make up half of a stream's biomass!
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