Family ODONTOCERIDAE

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Introduction

The family in Australia is represented by medium sized caddis-flies (wing span 14–20 mm); some robust, blackish species with stout antennae, others slender, brownish, with long filiform antennae and eyes distinctly enlarged in the males; all species volant.

The family has a scattered distribution throughout all faunal regions except the Ethiopian Region. There are about 10 genera and over 70 species described; two genera and 11 species are recorded from Australia (Wells & St Clair 2021). Immature stages of Barynema costatum Banks were described by Cartwright & Dean (1987).

Diagnosis

Adult: ocelli absent. Maxillary palpi 5-segmented in both sexes, segments long, cylindrical. Antennae are as long as or considerably longer than forewing, basal segment large. In males of some species the eyes are much enlarged and meet mesally.

Tibial spurs 2: 4: 4 (Australian species).

Larva: head usually carinate laterally, antennae at the anterolateral margin of the head capsule; fore trochantin small, simple apically; mesonotal sclerites clearly subdivided mid-dorsally, sometimes with a transverse ridge; metanotum mostly membranous, with several paired, weakly developed sclerites. Abdominal segment 1 with dorsal and lateral spacing humps; abdominal gills branched; anal claws curved, simple, usually without accessory hook; segment 8 with a lateral row of small bifid spicules. The tubular cases, slightly curved and tapering posteriorly, are constructed of coarse sand grains. Larvae are found in clear, cool streams.

General References

Cartwright, D.I. & Dean, J.C. 1987. Descriptions of the immature stages of Barynema costatum Banks from Australia (Trichoptera: Odontoceridae). Aquatic Insects 9: 27-32

Mosely, M.E. & Kimmins, D.E. 1953. The Trichoptera (Caddis-flies) of Australia and New Zealand. London : British Museum (Natural History) 550 pp. [Date published 6 Feb. 1953]

Wells, A & St Clair, R.M 2021. Review of the Australian endemic odontocerid genus Barynema and status of Australian Marilia (Trichoptera). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 80: 151–162 [Date published July 2021]

History of changes