Family DIPSEUDOPSIDAE

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Introduction

First proposed as a subfamily under Hydropsychidae, in the past Dipseudopsinae was also treated as a subfamily under Polycentropodidae and even under Psychomyiidae. Weaver & Malicky (1994) summarised the history of the name and established the monophyly of the family, which was first accorded full family status by Ross (1967).

Dipseudopsidae was first recorded for Australia with the re-assignment of Hyalopsyche from Polycentropodidae (Wells & Cartwright 1990). Cartwright (1997) provided a guide to late instar larvae. Dipseudopsidae are worldwide; only a single species is recorded for Australia.

Diagnosis

Adult: ocelli absent. Eyes large, particularly in the males, less so in the females. Maxillary palpi 5-segmented in both sexes, first two segments short, each shorter than the third; the third segment arises before the apex of the second, apical segment short, not annulate. Antennae stout, about as long or slightly shorter than forewing, individual segments short; antennal bases close together—'so enlarged that they occupy most of the space between the eyes along the anterodorsal margin of the head' (Weaver & Malicky 1994). Mesoscutum with a pair of rounded setal warts, sometimes setiferous punctures also present; scutellum with a pair of warts. Forewings moderately broad, densely pubescent, discoidal and median cells closed; R1 not forked apically. Abdominal sternite 5 with lateral filament.

Tibial spurs 3: 4: 4; in females the mid-tibia usually flattened.

Larva (in Australia): antennae usually situated close to the front margin of the head, no further back than midway between the eye and anterior margin; ventral apotome quadrangular; labium modified to form a slender, elongate spinneret. Mesonotum membranous; metanotum humped. Abdominal segment 1 reduced; gills may be present or absent; lateral fringe present; anal claw without accessory hooks. Larvae construct long, branched silken tubes in sand and leaf packs, often in sand trapped in leaf packs. They live in fast flowing, clear streams.

General References

Cartwright, D.I. 1998. Preliminary Guide to the Identification of Late Instar Larvae of Australian Polycentropodidae, Glossosomatidae, Dipseudopsidae and Psychomyiidae (Insecta: Trichoptera). Co-operative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology Identification Guide No. 15. Co-operative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, Albury. 28 pp.

Ross, H.H. 1967. The evolution and past dispersal of Trichoptera. Annual Review of Entomology 12: 169-206

Weaver, J.S. & Malicky, H. 1994. The genus Dipseudopsis Walker from Asia (Trichoptera: Dipseudopsidae). Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 137: 95-142

Wells, A. & Cartwright, D. 1993. Females and immatures of the Australian caddisfly Hyalopsyche disjuncta Neboiss (Trichoptera), and a new family placement. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 117: 97-104

History of changes