The all black adults Notidobia ciliaris of were resting on plants at the very edge of the Llangollen branch canal at Acton on the afternoon of May 4th 2024. This caddis probably spread north into our area with canal construction and persists along parts of the Shropshire Union in the Crewe area where Graham Wallace discovered it a few years ago. The larval habitat is in the root crowns of emergent plants especially those of Reed Sweet Grass Glyceria maxima. Roots that lack water flow become clogged with silt but if it is too fast the roots get scoured.

The vegetated margin at Baddiley, SJ6151 (below), is well washed by boats and it would seem less than ideal for wildlife but it suits this intriguing, but not Nationally Rare, insect and would validate the diverse management that Canal & Rivers Trust seem to now adopt.
I took some adults and got some eggs and will hopefully be able to fill in a few gaps in knowledge of its biology.
