A two-year study of Trichoptera caught on light in the Kaaistoep (The Netherlands).

A screen and light source were operated at a fixed place in the Kaaistoep, a nature reserve near the city of Tilburg (province Noord-Brabant, TheNetherlands). Some 75 nights per year have been spent catching insects by hand, and among these many caddis flies (Trichoptera). We collected and identified caddis flies during 2005 and 2006. In both years together more than 16,000 specimens were caught, comprising 52 species, including quite some rare and unexpected species. Flight periods could be constructed, which sometimes showed great difference between the two years. Weather conditions are likely to be responsible for these differences.