I have always been interested in aquatic biology as well as all the other messed up hobbies/passions shown on this blog and this post was a perfect blend of art and biology. Cabinet Magazine reported the following words:
"Caddis Flies are small winged insects that live near streams and ponds and produce aquatic larvae that protect their developing bodies by manufacturing sheaths, or cases, spun from silk and incorporating substances—grains of sand, particles of mineral or plant material, bits of fish bone or crustacean shell. The larvae are remarkably adaptable: if other suitable materials are introduced into their environment, they will often incorporate those as well.
After collecting the larvae from their normal environments, Hubert Duprat relocates them to his studio where he gently removes their own natural cases and then places them in aquaria that he fills with alternative materials from which they can begin to recreate their protective sheaths. He added semi-precious and precious stones (including turquoise, opals, lapis lazuli and coral, as well as pearls, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds) seen here. Additionally, cases built by one insect and then discarded when it evolves into its fly state are sometimes recovered by other larvae, who may repurpose it by adding to or altering its size and form. "
The pic below is taken of a Caddis Fly in its normal casing;
Original Link: Cabinet Mag Via Boing Boing
Photos by Jean-Luc Fournier