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PVC and PET microplastics in caddisfly (Lepidostoma basale) cases reduce case stability
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Caddisfly larvae (Lepidostoma basale) incorporated PVC and PET microplastics into their protective cases in the laboratory, and increasing plastic content made the cases less structurally stable than cases built from sand. Weaker cases could impair the larvae's protection from predators and their ability to resist stream currents.
Caddisfly larvae occur in streams and rivers, and many caddisfly species build protective cases using material from their habitat such as sand grains. At the same time, microplastics (MPs) are regularly deposited in aquatic sediments and are incorporated into caddisfly (Lepidostoma basale) cases in the field. However, it is unknown what the effects of MP incorporation into cases might be on the health of the caddisfly larvae. Hence, we offered two commonly used MPs (polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) to L. basale larvae during a laboratory experiment. Both plastic types have a high density and co-occur with L. basale larvae in benthic habitats. In our experiment, L. basale actively used sand, PET and PVC MPs for building tube-like portable or emergency cases. The latter is a temporary shelter under which the larva can hide for immediate protection. Furthermore, case stability decreased with increasing PVC and PET particle content in the cases, suggesting that MPs may threaten caddisflies by destabilising cases. When case stability is reduced, the protective function of the cases is limited and the larvae may be more prone to predation. Additionally, larvae may be washed away by the current as plastic is lighter than sand. Both effects could limit the caddisfly's survival, which could have far-reaching consequences as caddisfly larvae are important primary consumers in aquatic ecosystems. Graphical abstract.
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Microplastic Footprint in the Larval Cases of Caddisflies (Trichoptera) for Tracing the Sources of Microplastics in Freshwater Bodies
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Scientists found that tiny aquatic insects called caddisflies unknowingly build microplastics into the protective cases they make, with some cases containing as many as 18 plastic bits. Since these insects are a key food source for fish and other wildlife, this discovery means microplastics are already entering the freshwater food chain, raising concerns about how these pollutants could eventually work their way up to the fish and water humans consume. The findings also offer a clever new tool: studying caddisfly cases could help scientists track down where plastic pollution is coming from in lakes and rivers.
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