DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.75.e159632

Authors: André Silva Fernandes, Joab Cardoso Guedes, Tiago Kutter Krolow

Abstract: Entomological collections face significant challenges in storing and preserving dissected structures of insects (especially the most delicate and tiny ones). For pinned specimens, few alternatives are available to keep dissected parts along with their source specimens, with pinnable microvials commonly used. However, world suppliers for these special microvials are scarce and their cost may reasonably impact the budget of less wealthy institutions. To provide a low-cost alternative, we designed a reliable entomological dissection microvial, based on materials easily found in most local office and laboratory equipment suppliers. Our microvials are based on two main items, Polypropylene (PP) microcentrifuge tubes and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) hot-melt glue. Their manufacturing process is very simple and is described and illustrated in detail. The proposed microvials tend to have good ability for archiving, since the materials used for their main parts (PP and EVA) show good chemical adhesion and PP microcentrifuge tubes can safely contain most common preserving solutions for an indefinite time. Their endurance was tested under normal use conditions in our collection for the past five years and materials showed no degradation. Moreover, all components are classified as non-toxic and are safe for manipulation, storage and disposal by any educational or research facility. Finally, they fit into the category of sustainable solutions once they are long-lasting, reusable and can be manufactured from used microvials that would be discharged.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e110337

Authors: Dina Smirnova, Olga Sklyarova, Juha Salokannel, Vladimir Ivanov, Stanislav Melnitsky

Abstract: Data on the new records of 14 species from 7 families of caddisflies from 12 places in southern, southeastern and northern Kazakhstan are given. Hydropsychidae: Hydronema persica Martynov, 1914, Hydropsyche carbonaria McLachlan, 1875, Hydropsyche demavenda Malicky, 1977; Hydrobiosidae: Apsilochorema turanicum Martynov, 1924; Hydroptilidae: Hydroptila sp. aff. desertorum Mey, 1993, Hydroptila sanghala Schmid, 1960; Leptoceridae: Setodes sp. aff. punctatus (Fabricius, 1793), Parasetodes respersella (Rambur, 1842); Apataniidae: Apataniana cornuta, ssp. nov., Apataniana sp. nov.; Phryganeidae: Agrypnia varia (Fabricius, 1793); Limnephilidae: Limnephilus martynovi Kumanski 1994, Limnephilus major Martynov, 1909, Philarctus bergrothi McLachlan, 1880. The family Hydrobiosidae is the new for Kazakhstan. Currently 169 species of 66 genera of 18 families are known from Kazakhstan.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e116603

Authors: Tabraq Ali, Zahid Hussain, Aquib Majeed, Manpreet Singh Pandher, Sajad H. Parey

Abstract: Rhyacophila masudi sp. nov. from Northwest Himalaya of India is described and illustrated. The species mostly occurs in the Pir Panjal Region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. With this new addition, the genus Rhyacophila is represented by 166 valid species from India.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e110405

Authors: Jessica A. Thomas, Paul B. Frandsen, John C. Morse

Abstract: Based on a recalibrated BEAST diversification time analysis, we provide a revised chronology for the evolution of major lineages of Trichoptera. Fossil evidence indicates that caddisflies evolved at least by the Norian of Late Triassic (median age 222.6 Ma), compared with our estimate of at least 201.3 Ma. The ancestors of suborders Annulipalpia and Integripalpia also evolved as early as the Norian. Fossil evidence indicates that the ancestor of subterorder Phryganides lived at least by the Aalenian of Middle Jurassic (median age 173.6 Ma), compared with our estimate of at least 174.1 Ma.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e110329

Authors: Alain Dohet, Sarah Vray, Lionel L’Hoste

Abstract: In Luxembourg, caddisflies have been systematically collected since the early Sixties. Three periods of exhaustive sampling may be distinguished: the Sixties; 1994 to 2002; and a long period from 2007 to the present time in the frame of the Water Framework Directive. Bearing in mind the uneven sampling procedure across periods, we aim to document changes in community composition and distribution through time including the nature of these changes (e.g. gains and losses of species). We hypothesise different trends of species gains and losses for specialist species in comparison to generalist species. Therefore, we propose a method to identify specialist and generalist species in our dataset. Historical data (1961 to 1968) lack information on precise locations and abundance of specimen collected. Consequently, cell grids of original distribution maps are used to compare caddisfly community assemblages along the three monitoring periods. We assess the changes that occur on presence/absence data in specific groups of species (i.e. cold-adapted, warm-adapted specialists and generalist species). Temporal β-diversity results reveal that survey intervals for each monitoring period are dominated by species losses when the comparison is restricted to cold-adapted species. On the other hand, warm-adapted and generalist species are increasing from the Sixties period when compared to the two next periods (1994–2002 and 2007–2020). However, the comparison of the most recent periods reveals species losses even for the warm-adapted and generalist species. This complex picture of caddisflies species losses and gains in different ways through time, amongst river types and in response to different pressures, is discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e109206

Authors: Ariane Vieira, Hendrik C. Kuhlmann, Johann Waringer, Carina Zittra, Simon Vitecek, Stephan Handschuh

Abstract: Body morphologies are significantly different amongst the members of the Drusinae subfamily. Aligned with such differences is the selective niche location chosen by many species from the subfamily. Typically, they live on the sediments of cold, well-oxygenated mountain streams from the Eurasian Region. However, each of the three evolutionary lineages (shredders, grazers and carnivorous filter feeders) inhabit different hydraulic locations according to their foraging behaviour. To investigate the relationship between the body morphology and the flow field near the body, we use Large Eddy Simulations to compute the flow past five different species of the subfamily. We selected species representing the three evolutionary lineages of the subfamily, Drusus alpinus Meyer-Dür 1875 from the shredders clade, D. bosnicus Klapálek 1899 and D. monticola McLachlan 1876 from the grazers clade and Cryptothrix nebulicola McLachlan 1867 and D. discolor (Rambur 1842) from the filter feeders clade. For the simulations, three-dimensional body shapes were reconstructed from X-ray micro CT data and exposed to a turbulent flow corresponding to water-depth and velocity data measured in the field. The total forces acting on each morphotype were found to be comparable. The lift coefficients computed and ranging from 0.07 to 0.17 are smaller than the drag coefficients which were found to range from 0.32 to 0.55. The local distribution of the skin-friction indicates flow-separation zones near the edges of the bodies, in particular, between the head and the pronotum, which are differently located according to each species. Moreover, we observe higher streamwise normal stresses upstream of the head of the filter feeder species. It is hypothesised that the upstream horseshoe vortex can lift up drifting food particles and transport these to the larvae’s filtering legs, thereby enhancing the encounter rates of particles with the filtering devices.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e109944

Authors: Goro Kimura, Yoshitsugu Isumi, Hideo Shirai

Abstract: The Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin targets lepidopteran, dipteran and coleopteran pests. Despite their close taxonomic relationship to Lepidoptera, few studies have examined the hazard of Bt toxins on Trichoptera. We performed laboratory exposure tests to examine the effects of Bt var. aizawai on filter-feeding caddisflies, particularly Stenopsyche marmorata. In the continuous exposure test, the mortalities ranged from 0% at 1 mg/l to 100% at 20 mg/l 24 hours after exposure to Bta. The mortality at each concentration increased from 24 to 48 hours. In limited contact, mortality increased with contact time. Acclimatisation and water quality also affected larval mortality. Our results suggest that higher concentration and longer exposure to Bta affect or affect the increase of larval mortality.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e110394

Authors: Megan J. Bishoff, Lang Peng, Hao-ming Zang, John C. Morse

Abstract: Phragmosis, or the use of specially modified body parts and associated behaviors to block an opening as defense against predators, is a commonly observed phenomenon in certain ants and termites that block entrances of their subterranean nests with large, flat heads. It has been reported in some beetles and other insects and even in some frogs. Common features of phragmosis in caddisfly larvae include a hard and usually flat body surface, with or without stout spines, and the behavior of fitting that body surface tightly in the opening of its case. A different defensive strategy occurs in snails and case-making larvae of camptosomate leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae and Lamprosomatinae) that protect themselves from predators by securing the openings of their shells or cases firmly against the substrate, a behavior we call “cathaptosis.” Common features of cathaptosis in caddisfly larvae include a case with its vulnerable opening oriented parallel with the substrate and accompanied by behavior that grips the substrate, fixing the case opening firmly against it when threatened. We suggest that these defensive strategies have evolved multiple times in Trichoptera, especially in case-making larvae. We demonstrate some examples and provide tentative lists of caddisflies whose larvae may have evolved these defensive strategies.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e109883

Authors: Zahid Hussain, Aquib Majeed, Tabraq Ali, Sajad H. Parey

Abstract: Two new records of the genus Lepidostoma Rambur are reported from India. These include L. diespiter (Malicky & Sangpradub, 2001) and L. kamba (Mosely, 1939b) collected from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in India. With these new additions, the genus Lepidostoma Rambur is represented by 51 valid species from India. Complete redescriptions of these two species with illustrations are also provided. Also, L. sonomax (Mosely, 1939) is reported from Uttarakhand for the first time. Potential threats to these species and other freshwater biota are noted.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e109843

Authors: Ryoichi B. Kuranishi, Ryo Sato, Masashi Murakami

Abstract: We collected seven fixed pairs of Rhyacophila lezeyi during mating copulation and observed four different states of copulation. We investigated the underlying mechanism for the variations in the morphology of each copulating device, based on the copulation state. Notably, the male anal sclerites underwent considerable changes from the early stages of copulation. Initially, the female segment VIII approached the male anal sclerites, which were pushed downwards by the female VIII and IX segments, extending from IX. With the progression of mating stage, the distended end of the female’s segment VIII covered the anal sclerites, pushing them further down. The male parameres were initially folded in bellows-like shapes under the aedeagus before copulation initiation. However, as the copulation stage advanced, they extended to about 3.2 times of their original length. Distended ends of both parameres adhered to the position of the spiracles at the anterior margin of the lateral part of the female’s VII abdominal sternite. The attachment site was the external surface of the hair bulb of the male parameres. During the middle stage of copulation, movements involving the opening and closing of the male gonopods started. The gonoslylus made strong contact with the female’s abdominal segment VIII, resulting in the deformation of segment VIII due to the contact pressure.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e108102

Authors: Akikazu Taira

Abstract: The life cycles and microhabitats involved in aquatic stages of eleven Rhyacophila Stephens, 1836 species living in two neighboring Japanese mountain streams in Nara Prefecture, central Honshu, were investigated. Eight species had univoltine life cycles; seven species had spring to early summer emergence seasons. One species had an autumnal emergence. Four univoltine species had periods where no larvae or pupae were collected in aquatic stages, possibly a period of egg diapause. Three species had bivoltine life cycles, with early summer and autumn emergence seasons. Rhyacophila nipponica Iwata, 1927, R. manuleata AV Martynov, 1934, and R. shikotsuensis Iwata, 1927, in the nigrocephala species group Ross, 1956, have larvae which spend most of their larval stage in the hyporheos. The larvae of R. transquilla Tsuda, 1940, also inhabit the hyporheic zone, although the vertical microhabitat used by this species differed from the former three species. All four of these species have hyporheic larval stages, but in these species the first and final instar larvae reside on the surfaces of cobbles. The first instar larvae seem to live on stone surfaces immediately after hatching, and subsequently move to the interstices of sand. Final instar larvae live in the interstices of sandy bottom, and move to stone surfaces for pupation. Eleven species of the genus Rhyacophila had diverse life histories, microhabitat preferences, and experienced differing water temperature regimes during larval stages at the sites. Life history and habitat preference variation enhances the species richness of the genus and coexistence of species in upper stream of the Kinokawa River.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e110258

Authors: Wilfried Wichard

Abstract: The paper gives an overview of Trichoptera found as adults in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber from about 100 million years ago. Fifty-eight extinct species are listed, three of which are still described here: Paduniella cretacea sp. nov., Palerasnitsynus vilarinoi sp. nov., Palleptocerus kuranishii sp. nov. The extinct subfamily Palerasnitsyninae stat. nov. of the family Xiphocentronidae is established and the extinct Bipectinata orientalis comb. nov. is transferred from the family Calamoceratidae to the family Odontoceridae. The extinct family Lepidochlamidae Wang et al., 2022, stat. nov. is transferred to the superfamily Leptoceroidea. The fifty-eight caddisflies of Burmese amber are distributed among twenty-one genera and fourteen families, of which fifteen genera and four families are also extinct. The large time distance between extinct and extant organisms makes the assignment to the extant genera and families difficult, because the higher taxa are defined according to the species living today and often do not or hardly correspond to the earlier species and their adaptations. Furthermore, in line with the hypothesis of a Gondwanan origin of Burmese amber, some embedded Trichopterans are discussed as relict descendants of Gondwanan Trichoptera, e.g. the family Palleptoceridae and the Xiphocentronid subfamily Palerasnitsyninae.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e109951

Authors: Kelly M. Murray-Stoker, Shannon J. McCauley

Abstract: Amidst a global biodiversity crisis, collecting data at large spatial scales can illuminate patterns. Community science can be an avenue to reduce costs, broaden the scope of sampling, and, most importantly, connect with members of the public who are interested in and impacted by long-term ecological change. In 2021, we formulated a community science project – The Caddisfly Collective. Our goal was to study the regional influences on the responses of stream caddisfly (Trichoptera) communities to urbanization in the United States and Canada. Community scientists helped us achieve this goal by collecting caddisflies across a wider geographic scale than we could have reached on our own. To build The Caddisfly Collective, we recruited participants through social media and other online forums. We mailed collecting kits with a USB-powered ultraviolet LED light, a collecting container, bottles of preservative, data sheets, and collection labels to each participant; participants mailed back specimens and completed data sheets. There was a 79.7% rate of follow-through from sign-up to collection. During the project, 63 participants set up light-traps near urban and non-urban streams in seven different North American geographic regions, collecting adult caddisflies at 141 sites across the United States and Canada. Most sites were in the Midwest region, while the fewest sites were in the Far North region. Urban areas, classified by land cover data, comprised ~29% of total sites. We hope the details of our project can help other interested scientists implement similar projects in the future, especially focused on ecologically important caddisfly communities.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e109330

Authors: Vincent H. Resh

Abstract: Species-level identifications of the larval stages of caddisflies are available for only a limited number of taxa that are used currently in water-quality monitoring programs. This has been a long-lamented condition, but the proportion of species identifications available for aquatic forms that are used in these efforts has increased little over the past half-century. This is despite repeated and documented advantages that species-level identifications add to monitoring studies. Approaches to examining this question have ranged from anecdotal accounts of pollution tolerance among species within a genus to detailed analyses comparing information available through different hierarchical levels of taxonomy, from species to family. Justifications for not using species-level taxonomic resolution have ranged from financial considerations to suggestions that higher levels are equally as valid in showing trends as are species-level identifications. However, the evidence justifying the use of higher levels of taxonomy is lacking and more evidence favors the value of species-level identifications. Genetic techniques offer the promise of more larval-adult associations, more useful identification keys, and improved biological monitoring.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e109786

Authors: Ian Wallace

Abstract: Caddisflies use four basic methods to ensure that newly-hatched larvae become aquatic insects. One is to lay the eggs underwater so larvae can start a free life immediately after hatching. Another method is to lay the eggs above water and the hatched larvae fall or wriggle into the water. Caddisflies from waters that dry out in summer often have a female diapause gradually becoming sexually mature and often do not lay their clutches until late summer or autumn, when rising water levels flood the eggs. The hatched larvae develop into pupae by March-May, from which adult caddisflies hatch again emergence beginning in spring. Some caddisflies from waters that dry out lay in summer and those eggs hatch soon after laying so it is as a larva that they survive the dry period.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e110233

Authors: Wolfram Mey, Wilfried Wichard

Abstract: Two new species of fossil Tarachoptera are described from Burmese amber and named as Tarachocelis emmarossae sp. nov. and Kinitocelis patrickmuelleri sp. nov. The new species are documented by photos and line drawings. An update of the hitherto described taxa of Tarachoptera is provided including information about the depository of type material. The phylogenetic position of Tarachoptera in the amphiesmenopteran clade is discussed. A hypothetical cladogram based on cladistic principles was constructed to demonstrate the phylogenetic relationship combining Tarachoptera, Trichoptera, and Lepidoptera. It might serve as guidance in the interpretation of fossil taxa and future discoveries.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e107479

Authors: Kokichi Aoya, Atsushi Hayakawa, Tomoya Iwata, Kazumi Tanida

Abstract: Shrinking pupal cocoons of Rhyacophila lezeyi were often found during summer in Shibukuro Stream, a highly acidic mountain stream in northern Japan (pH = 2.82 on average). We performed both field surveys and laboratory rearing experiments to clarify the mechanisms of R. lezeyi cocoon shrinkage. The R. lezeyi cocoon shrinkage proportion increased in years with high stream water temperatures and was related to water temperatures before and after pupation at the study site. Approximately 90% of the prepupae and pupae inside the shrinking cocoons died during the rearing experiment, implying that cocoon shrinkage caused by high water temperature strongly influenced R. lezeyi pupal survival. Laboratory experiments showed that R. lezeyi’s pupal cocoon membranes were semi-permeable and that the cocoon fluids were always hyperosmotic, indicating that water molecules can continuously enter the cocoon fluids from the stream water until the turgor of the cocoon wall is reached. However, the shrinking cocoons showed lower fluid volume and higher osmolarity than the normal turgescent cocoons. The reduction of osmotic gradient across the membrane during decreased stream flow due to less precipitation and/or the damage to the cocoon membrane and pupal body from high and fluctuating water temperatures and low pH are possible mechanisms for R. lezeyi pupal cocoon shrinkage.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e105274

Authors: Alice Wells

Abstract: Orthotrichia is the most species rich of the hydroptilid genera found in Australia, and is postulated to be a relatively recent arrival from the Oriental Region. The genus has an almost worldwide but patchy distribution, represented by close to 280 species among which the Australian fauna of 55 species represents around 20%. In an attempt to understand the radiation of the genus in Australia, this paper explores the morphology and biology of Australian species and discusses a number of contrasts with reports on the biology of congeners in the Northern Hemisphere. The possible significance of these differences in Australian representatives of the genus is suggested to have played a role in the ‘success’ of the genus in the region. The value of life history studies to our understanding of biodiversity and biogeography is emphasized.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e108068

Authors: Kseniia T. Abu Diiak, Mikhail Yu. Valuyskiy, Stanislav I. Melnitsky, Vladimir D. Ivanov

Abstract: Comparative study of sensory structures on maxillary and labial palps in 71 species from 14 families by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy revealed significant diversity of sensory structures. Seven principal types of sensory structures were found: pointed trichoid, blunt chaetoid, campaniform, thin basiconic, thick basiconic, petaloid, and pseudoplacoid sensilla. Pointed trichoid and blunt chaetoid sensilla occur on every palp segment. First and, especially, second segments of maxillary palps have bunches of very large blunt chaetoid sensilla on medial surfaces. Campaniform sensilla were found only on basal segments. Pseudoplacoid sensilla are common on the terminal segments of both labial and maxillary palps except for Ptilocolepidae and Hydroptilidae. The petaloid sensilla forming the sensory fields are found in groups surrounded by the soft cuticle, generally in depressions, on the apical segments either on maxillary and labial palps in Hydrobiosidae and Rhyacophilidae, only on labial palps in other studied Integripalpia, or on apical labial palp segment and third and fourth maxillary palp segments in Annulipalpia. The pointed tips of both maxillary and labial palps in lower families have apical sensory complexes looking like small conical outgrowths without microtrichia, each with one large thick basiconic sensilla on its tip and several shorter thick basiconic sensilla on lateral surfaces. We consider these seven types of sensilla along with the apical sensory complex and the assemblage of the petaloid sensilla as a part of Trichoptera ground plan. This primitive diversity changes in evolution so the apical sensory complex, the fields of petaloid sensilla, the groups of very long blunt trichoid sensilla of basal segments, and the pseudoplacoid sensilla disappear in some advanced instances, more often on the maxillary palps. Interspecific variations of sensilla might be important for species discrimination, while the distribution of certain sensory structures is important for higher taxonomy.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e104385

Authors: Gísli Már Gíslason, Erling Ólafsson, Matthías S. Alfredsson

Abstract: During the 20th and 21st century, two species of Trichoptera have colonised Iceland. One species is Potamophylax cingulatus and the other is Micropterna sequax. Potamophylax cingulatus was not found in several extensive surveys before 1942, conducted by several entomologists. During a survey in streams in 1974–1978, the species was found to be common in east and north-east Iceland, but the Trichoptera species Apatania zonella was absent, where it was common before 1942. Searching collections of unidentified Trichoptera, a single specimen was found in east Iceland on 30 July 1959. The survey was repeated in 2004–2006 and the species had colonised most streams and rivers in Iceland and A. zonella had disappeared from many of them. Potamophylax cingulatus was first recorded in two light traps in south Iceland in 1997 with two specimens. The catch has increased continuously to 267 in 2022. Micropterna sequax was found in a single light trap at Mógilsá near Reykjavik in 2008. The annual catch has since grown from two specimens to 144. The species was found at Hvanneyri, 40 km north of the original site it was recorded from in 2018 (8 specimens) and, in 2021, it was found in Kjós, 11 km from the original site (one specimen based on a photograph). The dispersal rate for P. cingulatus was about 7–9 km/year, but the dispersal rate for the more recent settler M. sequax was found to be 4 km/year.

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