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.
General References
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]
Neboiss, A. 1977. A taxonomic and zoogeographic study of Tasmanian caddis-flies (Insecta: Trichoptera). Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 38: 1-208 [Date published 4 Apr. 1977]
History of changes
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 |