The embryonic development of the marine caddis fly. Philanisus plebeius Walker (Trichoptera: Chathamidae)

1. P. plebeius, a trichopteran with marine intertidal larvae, oviposits in the coelom of a starfish, Patiriella exigua. Oviposition occurs mainly in the spring and autumn months. 2. In spite of the intracoelomic location of the embryos, the development of P. plebeius follows an unmodified trichopteran mode, including the characteristic blastokinesis. Nutrients are not supplied to the caddis embryos by the host starfish. 3. Hatching takes place in the starfish coelum after 17-18 days. The newly hatched caddis larvae quickly escape to their rock pool habitat. 4. The form of the female ovipositor indicates that other species of Chathamidae utilize starfish species as oviposition hosts. 5. This mode of oviposition offers protection to the caddis embryos in the intertidal habitat.