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Family PHILORHEITHRIDAE

Introduction

Moderately large caddis-flies (wing span 16–35 mm) with irregularly speckled wings, all species volant.

The family is restricted to the Australian and Neotropical Regions. A total of about nine genera and 20 species are known, with five genera and 13 species listed from Australia.

 

Diagnosis

Adult: ocelli absent. Maxillary palpi 3 to 5-segmented in males, 5-segmented in females; basal segment short with apicomesal expansion bearing a tuft of setae. In most genera males with a pair of pilifers arising above the base of maxillary palpi and held upright in front of the face. Antennae stout, about as long as forewing; ten or fifteen basal segments often excavated laterally, either bearing setae or pectinate. Mesonotum usually with setal warts: if warts absent, then one or several setate punctures present in their place; scutellum usually with a pair of rounded setal warts. Wings elongate, discoidal cells closed in both wings; in forewing R1 joins R2 near apical margin; in resting position wings folded longitudinally.

Tibial spurs 2: 4: 4.

Larva: head with antennae close to anterior margin; ventral apotome triangular, almost entirely separating genae. Pronotum and mesonotum fully sclerotized, prosternum with sclerite; metanotum with two or three pairs of sclerites. Mid-leg with tibia and tarsus fused. Abdominal segment 1 with dorsal and lateral spacing humps; gills branched, lateral fringe present; segment 8 with a row of bifid spicules, dorsal sclerite on segment 9; anal claw with a single accessory hook. Larvae are predatory and construct stout tubular cases of small stone fragments.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
11-Oct-2012 11-Oct-2012 MODIFIED
01-Nov-2011 01-Nov-2011 MODIFIED
06-Mar-2011 MODIFIED