Family TASIMIIDAE

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Introduction

Moderately small to medium size (wing span 12–18 mm), dark, inconspicuous caddis-flies, in their general appearance similar to those of the family Conoesucidae.

The family is known from Australian and Neotropical Regions with two genera in each and a total of eight species. The seven Australian species are restricted in distribution to the eastern part of the continent and Tasmania. Cartwright (1997) provided a guide to late instar larvae.

Diagnosis

Adult: ocelli absent. Maxillary palpi 4-segmented in males (Australian species); 5-segmented in females. Antennae slightly longer than forewing, basal segment longer than the head. Eyes covered with short setae. Mesoscutum with a pair of rounded setal warts, separated from the median line; scutellum with a pair of elongate warts, which sometimes are fused. Wings rather broad and rounded apically, forewing with anal veins and jugal lobe reduced.

Tibial spurs 2: 4: 4.

Larva: head with antennae midway between the eye and anterolateral margin of the head capsule; ventral apotome triangular, only partially separating the genae. The pronotal sclerite anterolateral angles extended, acute; mesonotal sclerites not subdivided; metanotum with a pair of small sclerites only. Abdomen with gills single; lateral setal fringe well developed. There is a dorsal sclerite on segment 9. Larval case tubular, constructed of small stones with larger pieces along sides; inhabit clear, fast flowing streams.

General References

Cartwright, D.I. 1997. Preliminary Guide to the Identification of Late Instar Larvae of Australian Ecnomidae, Philopotamidae and Tasimiidae (Insecta: Trichoptera). Identification Guide No. 10. Co-operative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, Albury. 33 pp.

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]

Riek, E.F. 1968. A new family of caddis-flies from Australia (Trichoptera: Tasimiidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 7: 109-114

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