Caddisfly Larvae

[ysabetwordsmith]

My partner showed me this lovely picture of a caddisfly larval tube, made from colorful pebbles. They use wet silk to glue together any objects of appropriate size to create a mobile shelter. Usually that means tiny pebbles, shells, or sticks. But I've long been a fan of the art created when someone gives them jewels.


That first picture with the pebbles really makes me think of capsule wardrobes. It has light and dark gray, ivory and khaki, dark and medium coral, a more pinkish-purple mauve, and hints of pale aquamarine.

Gray
Capsule Wardrobe Stress Dress Capsule Gray (lighter)
Capsule Wardrobe Stress Dress Capsule Cool Gray (darker)
Capsule Wardrobe Crazy Eights Gray Garments

Ivory
Capsule Wardrobe Summer Neutral Core Beige
Capsule Wardrobe Crazy Eights Ivory Garments

Khaki
Capsule Wardrobe 4x4 Core of Four Khaki with Shoes
Capsule Wardrobe Stress Dress Capsule Tan

Coral
Capsule Wardrobe Spring Summer 2023 Pantone Persimmon
Capsule Wardrobe Brown Beige Tan Amberglow
Capsule Wardrobe French 5-Piece Pantone Colors Spring 2020 Coral Pink
Accessories Flowers Pink Assorted
Capsule Wardrobe Winter to Spring 4x4 Wardrobe Coral Turquoise Jewelry

Mauve
Capsule Wardrobe Denim Khaki Pink Cluster
Accessories Pink Mauve and Khaki

Aquamarine
Capsule Wardrobe Neutral Starting Point Mint Accent Cluster
Capsule Wardrobe Summer Common Warm Plus Seaglass
Capsule Wardrobe Autumn 2022 Pantone Waterspout Accessories


If you wanted, you could very easily make a "Whatever's Clean 13" wardrobe using those soft neutrals as a base, with colored accents on the same row so they couldn't clash because they wouldn't be worn together. Going with the most prominent warm colors, you wouldn't even need that; but if you want that hint of aquamarine, you might need to be a bit more careful. You could make a "4x4 Wardrobe" with a Core of Four in gray, ivory, and khaki plus four accent color tops.

If you're at all into natural-looking jewelry, definitely seek out some with rough-tumbled stones strung together in those pebble shades; you can find similar colors in shells and wood, too. "Beach jewelry" is affordable stuff that you won't cry if you lose it on vacation, and it goes very well with these soft natural colors.

Comments

[dianafortyseven]

Oh, I love the art created by the larvae! Thank you so much for sharing this. What an amazing tiny artist.

You're welcome!

[ysabetwordsmith]

You might also enjoy the flower nests made by petal-cutting bees.

I love animal art. Some of it is mind-blowing. Humans who think they are the only tool-users are just silly.

Re: You're welcome!

[dianafortyseven]

Lovely! :D
I have leaf-cutter bees living in my garden (they're the sweetest neighbours you could imagine), so it's nice to see the artful creations of a related species. The colour combos are pure magic! <3

Re: You're welcome!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I have not seen leafcutter or petalcutter bees that I know of. I do have swarms of native bees here in central Illinois. My favorite is a tiny one entirely in metallic bottle-green. Possibly this is a green sweat bee.

Re: You're welcome!

[see_also_friend]

Cool. This gives me ideas, bwahahaha!